The Efficacy of Oxytocin in the Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Date of Award
Spring 2020
Degree Name
Master of Medical Science (Physician Assistant)
Department
Physician Assistant; College of Health Sciences
First Advisor
Kevin Basile
Abstract
Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a development disorder that has an effect on an individual’s behavior as well as their ability to communicate. In addition to traditional therapy assisting in the development of an individual, oxytocin has been researched as a possible pharmaceutical treatment targeting the symptoms associated with autism. Therefore, this review analyzes the use of oxytocin (I) for symptom management (O) in patients diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (P) compared to placebo (C).
Methods: A literature search was conducted through PubMed and Google Scholar in November 2018. A total of seven articles comprising of randomized control trials were selected based onpublication date, diagnosis, intervention technique, and sample population. The study design, validity, and results of these articles were then analyzed and compared.
Results: The literature review exemplified diverse results in the assessment of the use of oxytocin as a treatment. Three studies found no significant correlation between the admission of oxytocin and social functioning. One of those studies established that there was actually greater activation in multiple parts of the brain during the oxytocin treated nonsocial reward assessment.Three studies found significant correlation between the admission of oxytocin and social functioning. One of those studies discovered that oxytocin decreased activity during nonsocial judgments as well. The final study concluded there is potential for correlation between admission of oxytocin and social functioning.
Discussion:Positive results were found in majority of the articles, but the results did not provide enough evidence to conclude a reason for a change in practice. The outcome measures differed amongst the studies. Limited sample sizes, short duration of treatment, absence of long-term data, and inconclusive results prevented the findings from achieving clinical significance.
Conclusion: The assessment of the efficacy of oxytocin on ASD showed improvement in social functioning in some studies, but they could not conclude that oxytocin reduced restricted and repetitive patterns. While it was established that there is not enough evidence to recommend any change in practice, there is justification for further research. The treatment of oxytocin has the potential to improve social interaction for patients with ASD and allow for the ability to learn social engagement skills during treatment. Research with larger samples sizes of longer dose
Recommended Citation
Flannagan, Lauren, "The Efficacy of Oxytocin in the Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder" (2020). Capstone Showcase. 15.
https://scholarworks.arcadia.edu/showcase/2020/pa/15
The Efficacy of Oxytocin in the Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a development disorder that has an effect on an individual’s behavior as well as their ability to communicate. In addition to traditional therapy assisting in the development of an individual, oxytocin has been researched as a possible pharmaceutical treatment targeting the symptoms associated with autism. Therefore, this review analyzes the use of oxytocin (I) for symptom management (O) in patients diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (P) compared to placebo (C).
Methods: A literature search was conducted through PubMed and Google Scholar in November 2018. A total of seven articles comprising of randomized control trials were selected based onpublication date, diagnosis, intervention technique, and sample population. The study design, validity, and results of these articles were then analyzed and compared.
Results: The literature review exemplified diverse results in the assessment of the use of oxytocin as a treatment. Three studies found no significant correlation between the admission of oxytocin and social functioning. One of those studies established that there was actually greater activation in multiple parts of the brain during the oxytocin treated nonsocial reward assessment.Three studies found significant correlation between the admission of oxytocin and social functioning. One of those studies discovered that oxytocin decreased activity during nonsocial judgments as well. The final study concluded there is potential for correlation between admission of oxytocin and social functioning.
Discussion:Positive results were found in majority of the articles, but the results did not provide enough evidence to conclude a reason for a change in practice. The outcome measures differed amongst the studies. Limited sample sizes, short duration of treatment, absence of long-term data, and inconclusive results prevented the findings from achieving clinical significance.
Conclusion: The assessment of the efficacy of oxytocin on ASD showed improvement in social functioning in some studies, but they could not conclude that oxytocin reduced restricted and repetitive patterns. While it was established that there is not enough evidence to recommend any change in practice, there is justification for further research. The treatment of oxytocin has the potential to improve social interaction for patients with ASD and allow for the ability to learn social engagement skills during treatment. Research with larger samples sizes of longer dose
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