Dr. Karen Parker's research aims to understand social functioning and its disruptions across the lifespan.

• Dr. Karen Parker directs the Social Neurosciences Research Program at Stanford University School of Medicine.
• Her laboratory focuses on the biological basis of social functioning, including parent-infant bonds and childhood social development.
• Dr. Parker's research is heavily focused on autism spectrum disorders.

Vasopressin, a neuropeptide, is critical for male social behavior and is implicated in social impairments in autism.

• Vasopressin is involved in social behaviors such as pair bonding and paternal care in animal models.
• Dr. Parker observed that vasopressin can induce social and parenting behaviors in male meadow voles.
• Low levels of vasopressin in the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) are associated with social impairments in both monkeys and humans.

Clinical trials indicate that vasopressin improves social abilities in children with autism, suggesting its therapeutic potential.

• A small clinical trial showed that intranasal administration of vasopressin improved social responsiveness in autistic children.
• Children with low levels of vasopressin in the CSF benefitted the most from the treatment.
• Larger trials are underway to replicate these findings and explore vasopressin as a biomarker for social impairments.