Refining oxytocin therapy for autism: context is key

Abstract

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.

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

Oxytocin enhances the salience of social information and primes the brain for social learning. Administering oxytocin without controlling social context is unlikely to yield clinically beneficial results, and learning from negative experiences might counteract learning from positive experiences (red line). To improve social behaviour, oxytocin administration should be paired with opportunities for constructive social learning, such as behavioural therapy sessions and positive social experiences, which can positively reinforce learned social behaviours (green arrows).