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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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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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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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41582-021-00602-9
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