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NEURODEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS

Refining oxytocin therapy for autism: context is key

Nature Reviews Neurology volume 18, pages 67–68 (2022)Cite this article

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A recent clinical trial found no effect of chronic intranasal oxytocin on social behaviour in children with autism spectrum disorders. The result is not surprising, as oxytocin facilitates social learning but does not directly cause prosocial behaviour. In future trials, oxytocin should be paired with behavioural therapy to enhance learning and improve social behaviour.

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Fig. 1: The effects of oxytocin depend on social context.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by NIH grants P50MH100023 and R01MH112788 to L.J.Y. and NIH P51OD011132 to Yerkes National Primate Research Center.

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  1. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Charles L. Ford & Larry J. Young

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  1. Charles L. Ford
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  2. Larry J. Young
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Correspondence to Larry J. Young.

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Ford, C.L., Young, L.J. Refining oxytocin therapy for autism: context is key. Nat Rev Neurol 18, 67–68 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41582-021-00602-9

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