Clinical and neural effects of six-week administration of oxytocin on core symptoms of autism.

What the researchers found

Six-week intranasal oxytocin administration significantly reduced core social reciprocity symptoms in high-functioning adult males with autism (P = 0.034, PFDR < 0.05, Cohen's d = 0.78). This clinical improvement correlated with enhanced resting-state functional connectivity between the anterior cingulate cortex and dorso-medial prefrontal cortex (rho = -0.60, P = 0.011). Behavioral and neural responses during social judgment tasks also improved significantly.

Why it matters

This study provides evidence that long-term oxytocin administration can improve core social symptoms of autism and modulate brain networks involved in social cognition, supporting its potential as a therapeutic option.

How the study worked

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial was conducted with 20 high-functioning adult males with autism; 18 completed the study. Participants received six weeks of intranasal oxytocin or placebo, with clinical assessments and functional MRI scans performed before and after treatment.

What this study cannot tell us

The small sample size and inclusion of only high-functioning adult males limit generalizability. The study duration was relatively short, and effect sizes did not exceed those from single-dose studies, indicating the need for optimized dosing regimens.

Read the original research

Clinical and neural effects of six-week administration of oxytocin on core symptoms of autism.

Brain : a journal of neurology, 138(Pt 11), 3400-12

Citation

Watanabe, Takamitsu; Kuroda, Miho; Kuwabara, Hitoshi; Aoki, Yuta; Iwashiro, Norichika; Tatsunobu, Natsubori; Takao, Hidemasa; Nippashi, Yasumasa; Kawakubo, Yuki; Kunimatsu, Akira; Kasai, Kiyoto; Yamasue, Hidenori. (2015). Clinical and neural effects of six-week administration of oxytocin on core symptoms of autism.. Brain : a journal of neurology, 138(Pt 11), 3400-12. https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awv249