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Recent randomized trials of oxytocin for autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) have had negative findings, both in adults (Mol Autism 2012; 3:16) and children (J Autism Dev Disord 2013 Jul 26). These data contrast with findings of greater oxytocin levels with secure mother-infant attachment (NEJM JW Psychiatry Apr 12 2010) and improved prosocial interactions in people with ASD after a single dose of oxytocin (NEJM JW Psychiatry Mar 22 2010).
These researchers conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study of intranasal oxytocin in 17 children with ASDs (age range, 8.0–16.5 years). Functional magnetic resonance imaging was performed as the children identified facial expressions (social-cue task) or labeled cars (nonsocial task). Parti…