Scientists call it the “love hormone” because it’s released in the body naturally at childbirth — and during sex. It’s oxytocin, a peptide found in the brain that also affects behavior like trust, empathy and generosity – as well as jealousy and gloating.

Now, oxytocin is being used in trials with young adults (18 and older) who have Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD), and the results of the trials to date have been truly amazing.

ASD refers to a group of symptoms, like a profound inability to communicate and other developmental disorders. Autistic patients who were given oxytocin nasally for 12 weeks significantly reduced their repetitive behavior, and were better able to recognize anger or happiness in the tone of a speaker’s voice. Upbeat results were also provided in a similar age group who took the peptide intravenously.

But the biggest potential benefactors of these studies will be children, particularly boys up to 8-years old. One in 70 boys will develop the disorder. Trials will begin as soon as oxytocin is deemed safe for children.

The International Center for Autism Research and Education (Icare4autism) is spearheading the trials. Specifically, research is being conducted by Icare4autism’s Advisory Board Chairman, Dr. Eric Hollander. Dr Hollander is also the Chair of Psychiatry at the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Dr. Hollander believes giving oxytocin can improve social functioning and repetitive behaviors – irrespective of the age of the patient.

“For the first time, certain core systems of autism may respond to treatment,” said the highly acclaimed Dr. Hollander.

Dr. Eric Hollander is the Chairman of the Icare4autism Advisory Board

The International Center for Autism Research and Education (Icare4autism), a global non-profit organization dedicated to finding a cure, is working with Dr. Hollander to build a consensus surrounding the issues and best practices in autism research and education. Icare4autism also partners with similar institutions worldwide to search for the biologic and environmental causes of ASD. Founder of Icare4autism is Joshua Weinstein, who also heads private, non-denominational multi-cultural schools in Brooklyn and the Bronx that provide services to ASD children and their families.