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

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.

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.

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.

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.