Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability described by diagnostic criteria that comprise deficits in social communication and the existence of repetitive, restricted patterns of behavior, interests, or activities that can last throughout life. Many preclinical studies show the importance of arginine vasopressin (AVP) physiology in social functioning in several mammalian species. Currently, there is a trend to investigate more specific pharmacological agents to improve social functioning in patients with ASD. Neurobiological systems that are crucial for social functioning are the most encouraging conceivable signaling pathways for ASD therapeutic discovery. The AVP signaling pathway is one of the most promising. The purpose of this commentary is to detail the evidence on the use of AVP as an agent that can improve social functioning. The pharmacologic aspects of the drug as well as its potential to ameliorate social functioning characteristics in human and animal studies are described in this manuscript. AVP, especially in its inhaled form, seems to be safe and beneficial in improving social functioning including in children with autism. Larger randomized studies are required to implement a long awaited safe and feasible treatment in people with a deficiency in social functioning.
Highlights
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability described by diagnostic criteria comprised of deficits in social communication and the existence of repetitive, restricted patterns of behavior, interests, or activities that can last throughout life [1]
arginine vasopressin (AVP) is a peptide made of nine amino acids that is synthesized in the magnocellular neurons of the hypothalamic paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei as a prohormone “pre-pro-vasopressin”
There is no consensus regarding whether AVP or AVP antagonists ameliorate behavior or to some extent social functioning
Summary
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability described by diagnostic criteria comprised of deficits in social communication and the existence of repetitive, restricted patterns of behavior, interests, or activities that can last throughout life [1]. 10% of children with autism have tuberous sclerosis, Down syndrome (https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/downsyndrome.html), fragile X syndrome (https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fxs/facts.html), or other genetic disorders [11,12,13,14]. There is a trend to investigate more specific pharmacological agents to improve social functioning in patients with ASD. The result of the study showed statistically significant peptide accumulation in the CSF within 80 min after the administration of melanocortin (10 mg), AVP (80 and 40 IU), and insulin (40 IU), as compared to pre-administration baseline levels and to levels in subjects who were administered sterile water as a placebo. Peak levels were achieved within 30 minutes after administration, while for AVP, CSF concentrations continued to increase for up to 80 minutes after administration
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