The effect of oxytocin nasal spray on social interaction deficits observed in young children with autism: a randomized clinical crossover trial.

ABSTRACT: Interventions for autism are limited. The synthetic hormone oxytocin may provide a potential treatment to improve core social and behavioral difficulties in autism, but its efficacy has yet to be evaluated in young children who potentially may benefit to a greater extent. We investigated the efficacy, tolerability and safety of oxytocin treatment in young children with autism using a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover, clinical trial. Thirty-one children with autism received 12 International Units (IU) of oxytocin and placebo nasal spray morning and night (24 IU per day) for 5 weeks, with a 4-week washout period between each treatment. Compared with placebo, oxytocin led to significant improvements on the primary outcome of caregiver-rated social responsiveness. Overal

SUBMITTER: Yatawara CJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4995545 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature