Vasopressin as Possible Treatment Option in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is rather common, presenting with prevalent early problems in social communication and accompanied by repetitive behavior. As vasopressin was implicated not only salt-water homeostasis stress-axis regulation, but also behavior, its role the development of ASD might be suggested. In this review, we summarized a wide range associated to which contribute, from skills communication, motor function problems, autonomous nervous system alterations as well sleep disturbances, altered sensory information processing. Beside functional connections between ASD, draw attention anatomical background, highlighting several brain areas, including paraventricular nucleus hypothalamus, medial preoptic area, lateral septum, bed stria terminalis, amygdala, hippocampus, olfactory bulb even cerebellum, either producing or containing vasopressinergic receptors (presumably V1a). Sex differences underline male prevalence ASD. Moreover, contribute effectiveness available off-label therapies serve possible target for intervention. sense, vasopressin, paradoxically V1a receptor antagonist, were found effective some clinical trials. We concluded that although an candidate treatment, assume subgroup (e.g., disturbances), certain sex (most probably males) area (targeting means virus vectors) would benefit therapy.