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Nasal oxytocin for social deficits in childhood autism: a randomized controlled trial

Mark R Dadds1, Elayne MacDonald, Avril Cauchi

  • 1School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia, m.dadds@unsw.edu.au.

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
|July 27, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Intranasal oxytocin did not improve social skills or emotion recognition in young males with autism spectrum disorder. This study suggests caution regarding broad recommendations for oxytocin as an autism intervention.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Oxytocin is increasingly investigated for its potential to enhance social behavior.
  • Preliminary studies suggested oxytocin may be a beneficial intervention for autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of a 5-day intranasal oxytocin intervention in improving social interaction, emotion recognition, and repetitive behaviors in male youths with ASD.
  • To assess the safety and side-effects of intranasal oxytocin in this population.

Main Methods:

  • A double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial involving 38 male youths (7-16 years) with ASD.
  • Participants received daily intranasal placebo or oxytocin (12 or 24 IU) for four consecutive days during parent-child interaction training.
  • Outcomes were assessed using parent reports, clinician ratings, and independent observations.

Main Results:

  • Intranasal oxytocin did not yield significant improvements in emotion recognition, social interaction skills, or general behavioral adjustment compared to placebo.
  • No significant differences in repetitive behaviors or diagnostic status were observed between groups.

Conclusions:

  • The benefits of intranasal oxytocin for young individuals with ASD may be limited and more specific than previously suggested.
  • Caution is advised when recommending intranasal oxytocin as a broadly effective intervention for autism spectrum disorders.

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