Researchers in France have suggested that the "love hormone," oxytocin may improve social functioning in those with autism-spectrum disorders,.

Angela Sirigu of the CNRS lab in Bron, France, and colleagues found that after inhalation of oxytocin the study participants with autism-spectrum disorders were more likely to focus attention on the eyes of human faces -- an important marker of social interaction.

According to the reports of Medpage Today, the effects of oxytocin were compared on 13 individuals aged 17-39 - 10 with autism-spectrum symptoms and three considered to have high-functioning autism - to 13 age- and sex-matched controls who also played the video ball game without oxytocin.

Published online in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the study finds after oxytocin inhalation, adults with Asperger's syndrome or high-functioning autism were more inclined to play with the most socially responsive partner in a video ball game.

Sirigu and colleagues further stated," We demonstrated that oxytocin can promote social approach and social comprehension in patients with autism.

Future research is necessary to investigate whether a long-term intake of oxytocin may improve real-life social functioning of these patients."

Involved in inducing labor in pregnant women, the hormone oxytocin has also shown to be associated with bonding and interpersonal relationships. (With Input from Agencies)