There is substantial evidence from animal model and healthy control data, that oxytocin is involved in the modulation of social cognition. In addition, recent genetics and plasma level studies suggest a possible role for oxytocin in the pathophysiology of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). As a large number of children with ASD are transitioning into adulthood and will likely require treatment, the lack of data to make meaningful treatment recommendations to facilitate adult living is an urgent issue. This study will examine the effect of intranasal oxytocin (IN-OXT) on social function in adults with ASD. It is hypothesized that IN-OXT will be superior to placebo in improving social function by the end of study treatment.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
70
24 IU taken twice daily (BID), in the morning and at noon/early afternoon
24 IU taken twice daily (BID), in the morning and at noon/early afternoon
St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Efficacy of intranasal oxytocin vs. placebo on social function in adults with ASD
This will be measured by the Clinical Global Impressions - Improvement Scale - Social (CGI-I-Social).
Time frame: 12 weeks
Efficacy of intranasal oxytocin vs. placebo on a continuous measure of social cognition in adults with ASD
This will be measured by the Revised Eyes Test
Time frame: 12 weeks
Efficacy of intranasal oxytocin vs. placebo on a continuous measure of social function in adults with ASD
This will be measured by the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale (VABS-II)
Time frame: 12 weeks
Efficacy of intranasal oxytocin vs. placebo on a continuous measure of social responsiveness in adults with ASD
This will be measured by the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS-2)
Time frame: 12 weeks
Efficacy of intranasal oxytocin vs. placebo on a continuous measure of social responsiveness in adults with ASD
This will be measured by the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC)
Time frame: 12 weeks
Safety and tolerability of intranasal oxytocin in adults with ASD
This will be measured by the Safety Monitoring Uniform Report Form (SMURF)
Time frame: 12 weeks
Safety and tolerability of intranasal oxytocin in adults with ASD
This will be measured by the Clinical Global Impressions - Improvement Scale - Global (CGI-I-Global)
Time frame: 12 weeks
Efficacy of intranasal oxytocin vs. placebo on quality of life
This will be measured by the World Health Organization Quality of Life Survey (WHOQOL-BREF)
Time frame: 12 weeks
Efficacy of intranasal oxytocin vs. placebo on anxiety
This will be measured by the Symptom Checklist 90-Revised (SCL-90-R)
Time frame: 12 weeks
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