Oxytocin, sexually dimorphic features of the social brain, and autism

Abstract

The common features of autism spectrum disorder, a highly heritable representative pervasive developmental disorder with significant heterogeneity and multiple‐genetic factors, are severe dysfunction in social reciprocity, abnormalities in social brain regions, and disproportionately low probability in the female gender. Concomitantly, certain domains of mental function, such as emotional memory and social reciprocity, show a significant sex difference. In addition, recent neuroimaging studies have shown significant sexual dimorphisms in neuroanatomical correlates of social cognition. Recently, some sexually dimorphic factors, including oxytocin, vasopressin, and genes linked with the x‐chromosome, have received attention because of their possible contribution to mental development especially in the social cognitive domain. Taking this evidence together, it is hypothesized that a sexually dimorphic factor associated with social reciprocity could affect characteristics of autism spectrum disorder including dysfunction in social reciprocity, abnormalities in social brain regions, and disproportionately low probability in female gender. This review article overviews sexual dimorphisms in clinical features of autism spectrum disorder, in normal social cognition, and in social brain function and structure. The association of oxytocin with sexual dimorphisms, social reciprocity, neural correlates of social cognition, and the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder were further summarized. Recent studies have suggested that oxytocin plays a role in social attachment in experimental animals, in enhancing social interactive ability in human adults, and in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder. Thus, the ongoing accumulated evidence suggests that oxytocin deserves to be examined as a candidate that causes the sexually dimorphic aspect of human social reciprocity, social brain development and the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder.

Two genetic variants of CD38 in subjects with autism spectrum disorder and controls

“…Peripheral or nasal administration of OT facilitates social recognition and trust in healthy humans (Guastella et al, 2008a andDitzen et al, 2009) and increases eye contact and recognition in autistic subjects (Hollander et al, 2007;Yamasue et al, 2009). …”

Autoimmune Disorder and Autism

“…Apart from regulating lactation and uterine contraction, oxytocin acts as a neuromodulator in the central nervous system [219,220]. Both animal experiments and clinical research have confirmed the role oxytocin plays in social and repetitive behaviors [221].…”

Cd38 Gene Knockout Juvenile Mice: A Model of Oxytocin Signal Defects in Autism

“…8,9,[32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40] It has been reported that plasma OXT levels in autistic children are lower than those in age-matched normal controls, although the precise deviation is very small. 32,40) Infusion or nasal administration of OXT reduces repetitive behaviors or social interaction in adults with Asperger's disorders or autism.…”