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Spectrum: Autism Research News

Tag: vasopressin

July 2022
hand points to pause button shape made from pills

Forging a path for vasopressin drugs for autism: Q&A with Suma Jacob

by  /  5 July 2022

After the vasopressin antagonist balovaptan flopped in a late-stage clinical trial, Suma Jacob and her colleagues took stock of all the factors that might have complicated the results.

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May 2020
baby grasping an adult hand

Hormone level in infants may predict autism diagnosis

by  /  11 May 2020

Infants with low levels of the hormone vasopressin in their cerebrospinal fluid may be more likely to later be diagnosed with autism.

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July 2019

How the social hormone vasopressin might help autistic people

by  /  9 July 2019

A drug that mimics the hormone vasopressin improves social skills in autistic people — but so does one that blocks vasopressin’s effects. How can seemingly opposing manipulations produce similar results?

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May 2019
Nasal spray jetting from bottle on a dark background

Ready or not, two drugs for autism edge closer to clinic

by  /  1 May 2019

Two drugs that alter the activity of the hormone vasopressin seem to improve social communication in autistic people, but some experts question the findings.

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November 2018

Low brain hormone levels may be reliable marker of autism

by  /  5 November 2018

Children with autism tend to have low levels of the hormone vasopressin in their brain, according to the largest study yet to look at the levels.

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June 2018
Week of JuneJun
4th
2018

Oversold diets; big brains explained; tracking CRISPR and more

by  /  8 June 2018

Benefits of diets for autism features remain unproven, variants of the same DNA region make brains big or small, and STAT announces a new CRISPR tracker.

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May 2018

Monkey study bolsters case for brain hormone’s role in autism

by  /  29 May 2018

Male monkeys that avoid touching, grooming or playing with others have low brain levels of the hormone vasopressin.

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Week of AprilApr
30th
2018

Predictive brain waves; spotting liars; pet peeve and more

by  /  4 May 2018

Brain waves in infancy forecast autism, people with more autism features have trouble detecting lies, and veterinarians battle claims that vaccines cause autism in dogs.

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February 2018
vasopressin crystal

Optimism, confusion greet federal fast track for autism drug

by  /  12 February 2018

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted a rare ‘breakthrough therapy’ designation for a drug that may ease some features of autism.

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November 2017
monkeys hugging

Social hormones alter monkey behavior in sex-specific ways

by  /  15 November 2017

The hormones oxytocin and vasopressin promote social interactions in male monkeys but make female monkeys more aggressive than usual.

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