Long-term oxytocin administration improves social behaviors in a girl with autistic disorder.

Kosaka H, Munesue T, Ishitobi M, Asano M, Omori M, Sato M, Tomoda A, Wada Y

BMC psychiatry13 Aug 2012Cited by 48 (Europe PMC)

PMID22888794PMCIDPMC3466125DOI10.1186/1471-244x-12-110PepBankPUB-22888794

Summary

BackgroundPatients with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) exhibit core autistic symptoms including social impairments from early childhood and mostly show secondary disabilities such as irritability and aggressive behavior based on core symptoms. However, there are still no radical treatments of social impairments in these patients. Oxytocin has been reported to play important roles in multiple social behaviors dependent on social recognition, and has been expected as one of the effective treatments of social impairments of patients with ASDs.Case presentationWe present a case of a 16-year-old girl with autistic disorder who treated by long-term administration of oxytocin nasal spray. Her autistic symptoms were successfully treated by two month administration; the girl's social interactions and social communication began to improve without adverse effects. Her irritability and aggressive behavior also improved dramatically with marked decreases in aberrant behavior checklist scores from 69 to 7.ConclusionThis case is the first to illustrate long-term administration of oxytocin nasal spray in the targeted treatment of social impairments in a female with autistic disorder. This case suggests that long-term nasal oxytocin spray is promising and well-tolerated for treatment of social impairments of patients with ASDs.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study3

3 results from studies that gave the peptide. 3 results from people.

01HumanCase report or seriesEfficacy outcome
In a 16-year-old girl with autistic disorder, two months of oxytocin nasal spray was followed by improved social interactions and social communication.
In plain wordsIn one girl with autism, social interaction and communication began to improve during two months of oxytocin nasal spray.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
IncreaseSocial interactions and social communication
Study
n = 1
Outcome group
Social behavior and cognition · Mental health and mood
Studied dose
Dose not stated · nasal spray · two monthAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
Her autistic symptoms were successfully treated by two month administration; the girl's social interactions and social communication began to improve without adverse effects.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We present a case of a 16-year-old girl with autistic disorder who treated by long-term administration of oxytocin nasal spray.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2288879401
02HumanCase report or seriesEfficacy outcome
In a 16-year-old girl with autistic disorder, irritability and aggressive behavior improved, with aberrant behavior checklist scores falling from 69 to 7.
In plain wordsIn one girl with autism, irritability and aggressive behavior improved, and her behavior checklist score fell from 69 to 7.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
DecreaseIrritability and aggressive behavior (aberrant behavior checklist score)
Study
n = 1
Outcome group
Anxiety and mood · Mental health and mood
Studied dose
Dose not stated · nasal spray · two monthAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Aberrant behavior checklist score
69 score
before treatment
Aberrant behavior checklist score
7 score
after treatment
Source sentences
Summary
Her irritability and aggressive behavior also improved dramatically with marked decreases in aberrant behavior checklist scores from 69 to 7.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We present a case of a 16-year-old girl with autistic disorder who treated by long-term administration of oxytocin nasal spray.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2288879402
03HumanCase report or seriesSafety outcome
In a 16-year-old girl with autistic disorder, no adverse effects were reported during two months of oxytocin nasal spray.
In plain wordsIn one girl with autism, no side effects were reported during two months of oxytocin nasal spray.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
No significant changeAdverse effects
Study
n = 1
Outcome group
Adverse events · Whole body
Studied dose
Dose not stated · nasal spray · two monthAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
the girl's social interactions and social communication began to improve without adverse effects
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We present a case of a 16-year-old girl with autistic disorder who treated by long-term administration of oxytocin nasal spray.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2288879403

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Version history

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Version 2Current
11 Oct 2026, 01:30 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 02:50 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

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