Understanding Oxytocin's Neural and Behavioral Effects in Adolescents Diagnosed With Autism

Understanding Oxytocin's Neural and Behavioral Effects in Adolescents Diagnosed With Autism

The investigators explored the neural and behavioral effect of oxytocin on youth with Autism spectrum disorder using magnetoencephalography (MEG). The investigators hypothesize that oxytocin will modulate neural activity to resemble patterns observed in the age-matched control group.

Thirty-two adolescents with autism and 26 typically developing adolescents participated in this randomized, double-blind MEG study. Individuals with autism arrived at the lab twice and received an acute dose of intranasal oxytocin or placebo in each session. During the scans, participants were asked to complete several tasks related to social perception - such as identification of social and non-social stimuli.

In the current study, the investigators aimed to explore oxytocin's influences on neural components that relate to social processing. Namely, we focused on M100, M170, and M250, which tend to show atypical patterns in individuals with autism.

The investigators also examined the effects of oxytocin on time dynamics - the change in specific oscillation over time and its effects on neural connectivity patterns.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Males, aged 12-18 years
• Native Hebrew speakers
• Normal or corrected-to-normal vision
• Participants in the ASD group had to meet the criteria for ASD in the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-5)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Chronic medical problems
• Cardiovascular risk factors
• CNS disease
• Other mental illnesses
• Use of prohibited medications
• Mental retardation
• Impaired vision
• Impaired hearing
• History of significant head injury or neurological illness
• Current substance dependence diagnosis
• Metallic implants, braces or devices in the body