We are studying an investigational drug called intranasal oxytocin (Syntocinon®). Syntocinon® has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in helping women breastfeed, but it has not been approved for use in children with ASD. However, there is previous research conducted that has indicated that after administration of oxytocin, adults with ASD demonstrated improvements in social cognition, and reduced repetitive behaviours and anxiety. There is also early research to suggest that children may also benefit in these areas. The purpose of this study is to test if oxytocin works to help children and adolescents with ASD.

Extensive data has been accumulated to suggest that central release of oxytocin is important for social cognition and function, as well as likely involved in anxiety modulation and repetitive behaviors. The Principal Investigator and Co-Principal Investigator of this study have previously documented: 1) an association between ASD and a single nuclear polymorphism of the oxytocin receptor gene, 2) ability to measure oxytocin levels in the blood by enzyme immunoassay and 3) preliminary data to support safety and efficacy of intranasal oxytocin in the treatment of social deficits and repetitive behaviors in adults with autism. A medication treatment targeting the core deficits of ASD in childhood is highly valuable because it could influence the developmental trajectory and make further psychosocial interventions possible. In this context, we propose a randomized placebo controlled trial of intranasal oxytocin in children and adolescents with ASD.

Inclusion Criteria

1. Male or female outpatients, 10-17 years of age inclusive.
2. Meet Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV) criteria will be established by a clinician with expertise with individuals with ASD. Best estimate Diagnosis will be reached using DSM-IV criteria, the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2) and the Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI-R).
3. Have a Clinician's Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) score ≥ 4 (moderately ill) at Screening.
4. Verbal and performance scale Intelligence Quotient (IQ) ≥ 70 (both subtests of the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI-I or WASI-II ≥ 70).
5. If already receiving stable concomitant medications affecting behavior, have continuous participation for 1 month prior to Screening (with the exception of fluoxetine, where a period of 6 weeks is needed), and not electively initiate new or modify ongoing medications for the duration of the study.
6. If already receiving stable non-pharmacologic educational, behavioral, and/or dietary interventions, have continuous participation during the preceding 3 months prior to Screening, and not electively initiate new or modify ongoing interventions for the duration of the study.
7. Have normal physical examination and laboratory test results at Screening. If abnormal, the finding(s) must be deemed not clinically significant by the Treating Clinician.
8. Ability to speak and understand English sufficiently to allow for the completion of all study assessments.
9. Ability to obtain written informed consent from the participant, if developmentally appropriate. If a participant does not have the capacity to consent, ability to obtain assent (if developmentally appropriate), as well as written informed consent from their parent(s)/legal guardian.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Patients born prior to 35 weeks gestational age.
2. Patients with a primary psychiatric diagnosis other than ASD.
3. Patients with a medical history of neurological disease, including, but not limited to, epilepsy/seizure disorder (except simple febrile seizures), movement disorder, tuberous sclerosis, fragile X, and any other known genetic syndromes, or known abnormal brain MRI/structural lesion.
4. Pregnant female patients, sexually active female patients on hormonal birth control and sexually active females who do not use at least two types of non-hormonal birth control.
5. Patients with evidence or history of malignancy or any significant hematological, endocrine, cardiovascular (including any rhythm disorder), respiratory, renal, hepatic, or gastrointestinal disease.
6. Patients with one or more of the following: HIV, Hepatitis B virus, Hepatitis C virus, hemophilia (bleeding problems, recent nose and brain injuries), abnormal blood pressure (hypotension or hypertension), drug abuse, immunity disorder or severe depression.
7. Patients who are currently taking oxytocin or have taken intranasal oxytocin in the past with no response.
8. Patients with a sensitivity to oxytocin or any components of its formulation.
9. Patients unable to tolerate venipuncture procedures for blood sampling.
10. Patients in foster care for whom the province/state is defined as a legal guardian

Limitations include a small sample size, age range restricted to 10-17, and IQ restriction of 70+. This limits our ability to generalize our results to other individuals on the autism spectrum.