Autism News And Updates: Nasal Spray To Treat Condition Showing Promise In Trials

A new way of autism treatment may soon be available as researchers from the University of Sydney have found that a nasal spray has produced positive results in a trial done with children. The nasal spray is an artificial version of the hormone oxytocin and could reportedly be used by people with autism within the next five years if things go smoothly.

"The sorts of results that we have in our trials suggest children show more responsiveness and awareness of the important social information in a relationship," said Prof. Adam Guastella, as per a report in 9news. Guastella is from the Brain and Mind Center in the University of Sydney.

Researchers are preparing for what they hope will be a ground-breaking new treatment of autism: https://t.co/KIRdwmqE9X @ErinWilling9 #9News

— Nine News Brisbane (@9NewsBrisbane) August 13, 2016

According to a report published in The Sun, one of the children with autism that took part in the trial of the nasal spray was Hayden Blue. Blue's mother was quoted as saying that her son did not wander from his group during the trial, showed improved eye contact and had better engagement with other people. Hayden was said to be diagnosed with autism when he was two years old.

The Daily Mail reported that oxytocin has been dubbed as the "cuddle hormone" and that this new nasal spray can help people with autism to be more socially engaged. The nasal spray could also reportedly be used not only in treating with people with autism, but also people who have anxiety disorder and other neurological ailments.

A new trial using the nasal spray will be conducted and the researchers are already looking for participants. The report said that there are around one in 100 Australians with autism. The Sun said information from the National Autistic Society show that there are around 700,000 people in the United Kingdom with autism. Autism Speaks said more than 3 million people in the United States have autism.