Chronic oxytocin administration stimulates the oxytocinergic system in children with autism.

Moerkerke M, Daniels N, Tibermont L, Tang T, Evenepoel M, Van der Donck S, Debbaut E, Prinsen J, Chubar V, Claes S, Vanaudenaerde B, Willems L, Steyaert J, Boets B, Alaerts K

Nature communications2 Jan 2024Cited by 35 (Europe PMC)

PMID38167302PMCIDPMC10762037DOI10.1038/s41467-023-44334-4PepBankPUB-38167302

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Summary

Clinical efficacy of intranasal administration of oxytocin is increasingly explored in autism spectrum disorder, but to date, the biological effects of chronic administration regimes on endogenous oxytocinergic function are largely unknown. Here exploratory biological assessments from a completed randomized, placebo-controlled trial showed that children with autism (n = 79, 16 females) receiving intranasal oxytocin for four weeks (12 IU, twice daily) displayed significantly higher salivary oxytocin levels 24 hours after the last oxytocin nasal spray administration, but no longer at a four-week follow up session. Regarding salivary oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) epigenetics (DNA-methylation), oxytocin-induced reductions in OXTR DNA-methylation were observed, suggesting a facilitation of oxytocin receptor expression in the oxytocin compared to the placebo group. Notably, heightened oxytocin levels post-treatment were significantly associated with reduced OXTR DNA-methylation and improved feelings of secure attachment. These findings indicate that four weeks of chronic oxytocin administration stimulated the endogenous oxytocinergic system in children with autism.

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

Results from this study4

4 results from studies that gave the peptide. 4 results from people.

01HumanRandomized controlled trialPharmacokinetics
In children with autism, four weeks of intranasal oxytocin raised salivary oxytocin 24 hours after the last dose compared with placebo.
In plain wordsIn children with autism, four weeks of nasal oxytocin led to higher oxytocin in saliva a day after the last dose than placebo.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
IncreaseSalivary oxytocin 24 hours after last dose
Study
n = 79
Comparator
Placebo
Analysis
Exploratory
Outcome group
Pharmacokinetics · Pharmacology
Studied dose
12 IU twice daily · intranasal · four weeksAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
displayed significantly higher salivary oxytocin levels 24 hours after the last oxytocin nasal spray administration
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
children with autism (n = 79, 16 females) receiving intranasal oxytocin for four weeks (12 IU, twice daily)
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3816730201
02HumanRandomized controlled trialPharmacokinetics
In children with autism, salivary oxytocin was no longer higher with oxytocin than with placebo at the four-week follow-up.
In plain wordsIn children with autism, saliva oxytocin was no longer higher than with placebo four weeks after treatment ended.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
No significant changeSalivary oxytocin at four-week follow-up
Study
n = 79
Comparator
Placebo
Analysis
Exploratory
Outcome group
Pharmacokinetics · Pharmacology
Studied dose
12 IU twice daily · intranasal · four weeksAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
but no longer at a four-week follow up session.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
children with autism (n = 79, 16 females) receiving intranasal oxytocin for four weeks (12 IU, twice daily)
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3816730202
03HumanRandomized controlled trialMechanism
In children with autism, intranasal oxytocin reduced salivary oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) DNA-methylation compared with placebo.
In plain wordsIn children with autism, nasal oxytocin lowered a chemical mark on the oxytocin receptor gene compared with placebo.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
DecreaseSalivary OXTR DNA-methylation
Study
n = 79
Comparator
Placebo
Analysis
Exploratory
Outcome group
Receptor activity and mechanism · Nervous system and cognition
Studied dose
12 IU twice daily · intranasal · four weeksAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
Regarding salivary oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) epigenetics (DNA-methylation), oxytocin-induced reductions in OXTR DNA-methylation were observed, suggesting a facilitation of oxytocin receptor expression in the oxytocin compared to the placebo group.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
children with autism (n = 79, 16 females) receiving intranasal oxytocin for four weeks (12 IU, twice daily)
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3816730203
04HumanRandomized controlled trialMechanism
In children with autism, higher oxytocin levels after treatment were associated with reduced OXTR DNA-methylation and improved feelings of secure attachment.
In plain wordsIn children with autism, higher oxytocin after treatment was linked to a lower gene methylation mark and better feelings of secure attachment.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
Not applicableAssociation of post-treatment oxytocin with OXTR methylation and secure attachment
Study
n = 79
Analysis
Exploratory
Outcome group
Receptor activity and mechanism · Nervous system and cognition
Studied dose
12 IU twice daily · intranasal · four weeksAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
Notably, heightened oxytocin levels post-treatment were significantly associated with reduced OXTR DNA-methylation and improved feelings of secure attachment.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
children with autism (n = 79, 16 females) receiving intranasal oxytocin for four weeks (12 IU, twice daily)
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3816730204

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Registered trials1

Trials this study reports on, or that list this study as a reference. Registry data from ClinicalTrials.gov.

1 trial · 1 completed · source ClinicalTrials.gov (opens in a new tab)

CompletedPhase 2NCT06945926

The Effect of Oxytocin Nasal Spray on Preventing Postoperative Delirium in Elderly Patients Undergoing Orthopedic Surgery

Zhejiang Universityn = 2271 Jun 2025 to 2 Jun 2026

Cervical Spinal Stenosis · Thoracic Spinal Stenosis · Lumbar Spinal Stenosis · Rotator Cuff Injury · Femoral Head Necrosis · Spinal Trauma · Knee Joint Injury

Trial page ClinicalTrials.govUpdated 20 Aug 2026

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 2Current
11 Oct 2026, 00:50 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 02:47 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

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