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Oxytocin in neurodevelopmental disorders: Autism spectrum disorder and Prader-Willi syndrome

Alyssa Josselsohn1, Yin Zhao2, Danielle Espinoza3

  • 1Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, 1225 Morris Park Avenue Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Temple University, College of Education and Human Development, 1301 Cecil B. Moore Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA.

Pharmacology & Therapeutics
|October 25, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Oxytocin shows mixed results for treating neurodevelopmental disorders like autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). Dynamic dosing and social interventions may improve oxytocin

Area of Science:

  • Neurobiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Developmental Psychology

Background:

  • Oxytocin plays a crucial role in social behaviors, bonding, and appetite regulation.
  • Dysfunction in the oxytocin system is implicated in the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current research on oxytocin's efficacy in treating core symptoms of ASD and PWS.
  • To examine oxytocin's clinical pharmacology, safety, and trial outcomes.
  • To propose optimized therapeutic strategies for oxytocin intervention.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of recent clinical trials and pharmacological studies on oxytocin.
  • Analysis of oxytocin's effects on social behaviors, anxiety, and feeding in neurodevelopmental disorders.

Main Results:

  • Clinical trials investigating oxytocin for ASD and PWS have yielded inconsistent results.
  • Oxytocin's effectiveness appears variable, necessitating further investigation into optimal dosing and delivery.

Conclusions:

  • Oxytocin's therapeutic potential for ASD and PWS requires refined application strategies.
  • A dynamic (as-needed) dosing regimen, combined with social interventions, may enhance oxytocin's benefits in these populations.

Keywords:
Autism spectrum disorderClinical trialsOxytocinPrader-Willi syndrome

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