Does Oxytocin Improve Autism?

Caregivers reported that nasal oxytocin significantly improved social responsiveness in a small randomized study of autistic children ages 3 to 8 years.

In a previous randomized study conducted in adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), nasal oxytocin was not associated with improvement in caregiver-reported social responsiveness (NEJM JW Psychiatry Aug 22 2014; [e-pub] and J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2014; 55:98). Reasoning that earlier intervention might be more effective, investigators conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study of intranasal oxytocin in 31 young children with ASD (age range, 3–8 years; 87% male). Participants received twice-daily oxytocin nasal spray (12 IU/dose) or placebo for 5 weeks, followed by a 4-week washout before crossover.

Compared with placebo, oxytocin was associated with significant improvement in the primary outcome o…

Reviewing Author

Barbara Geller, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Barbara Geller, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Does Oxytocin Improve Autism?

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Reviewing Author