The dosage and the patient’s genetics determine oxytocin’s usefulness for autism spectrum disorder

What is it about?

Several recent studies have provided intriguing evidence that treatment with the hormone oxytocin may benefit patients with autism spectrum disorder. However, oxytocin’s effects need to be scientifically verified before doctors begin prescribing it for their patients with autism spectrum disorder. We therefore conducted a 24-week clinical trial involving Japanese adolescents and young adults with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder to determine whether oxytocin’s benefits depend on the dose and on which version of the oxytocin receptor gene the patient has.

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Why is it important?

We found that high oxytocin doses compared with placebo alleviated autistic symptoms in the young men but not in the young women. Lower doses were less effective. We also found that individual differences in the oxytocin receptor gene influenced the effectiveness of oxytocin therapy in young men. Our small study provides further evidence of oxytocin’s usefulness for patients with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder. Further research is needed, but our findings about the effects of dose, sex, and genetics will provide guidance to scientists conducting larger, more comprehensive clinical studies on oxytocin for autism spectrum disorder.