Trial Outcomes & Findings for Intranasal Oxytocin for the Treatment of Children and Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) (NCT NCT01908205)

NCT ID: NCT01908205

Last Updated: 2025-07-16

Results Overview

This will be measured by a change in score on the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) - Social Withdrawal Subscale (0-48, where lower scores indicate improvement)

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

PHASE2

Target enrollment

60 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

12 and 24 weeks

Results posted on

2025-07-16

Participant Flow

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Intranasal Oxytocin (Syntocinon)
The proposed dosing schedule is 0.4 IU/kg, taken twice daily, for a maximum of 24 IUs per dose Intranasal Oxytocin
Placebo
The proposed dosing schedule is 0.4 IU/kg, taken twice daily, for a maximum of 24 IUs per dose Placebo
Overall Study
STARTED
30
30
Overall Study
COMPLETED
25
29
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
5
1

Reasons for withdrawal

Reasons for withdrawal
Measure
Intranasal Oxytocin (Syntocinon)
The proposed dosing schedule is 0.4 IU/kg, taken twice daily, for a maximum of 24 IUs per dose Intranasal Oxytocin
Placebo
The proposed dosing schedule is 0.4 IU/kg, taken twice daily, for a maximum of 24 IUs per dose Placebo
Overall Study
Lost to Follow-up
2
0
Overall Study
Withdrawal by Subject
3
1

Baseline Characteristics

Fifty-four youth completed the trial. Six withdrew (5 active, 1 placebo)

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Intranasal Oxytocin (Syntocinon)
n=25 Participants
The proposed dosing schedule is 0.4 IU/kg, taken twice daily, for a maximum of 24 IUs per dose Intranasal Oxytocin
Placebo
n=29 Participants
The proposed dosing schedule is 0.4 IU/kg, taken twice daily, for a maximum of 24 IUs per dose Placebo
Total
n=54 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
25 Participants
n=5 Participants • Fifty-four youth completed the trial. Six withdrew (5 active, 1 placebo)
29 Participants
n=7 Participants • Fifty-four youth completed the trial. Six withdrew (5 active, 1 placebo)
54 Participants
n=5 Participants • Fifty-four youth completed the trial. Six withdrew (5 active, 1 placebo)
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
0 Participants
n=5 Participants • Fifty-four youth completed the trial. Six withdrew (5 active, 1 placebo)
0 Participants
n=7 Participants • Fifty-four youth completed the trial. Six withdrew (5 active, 1 placebo)
0 Participants
n=5 Participants • Fifty-four youth completed the trial. Six withdrew (5 active, 1 placebo)
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
0 Participants
n=5 Participants • Fifty-four youth completed the trial. Six withdrew (5 active, 1 placebo)
0 Participants
n=7 Participants • Fifty-four youth completed the trial. Six withdrew (5 active, 1 placebo)
0 Participants
n=5 Participants • Fifty-four youth completed the trial. Six withdrew (5 active, 1 placebo)
Sex: Female, Male
Female
2 Participants
n=5 Participants
5 Participants
n=7 Participants
7 Participants
n=5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
23 Participants
n=5 Participants
24 Participants
n=7 Participants
47 Participants
n=5 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: 12 and 24 weeks

This will be measured by a change in score on the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) - Social Withdrawal Subscale (0-48, where lower scores indicate improvement)

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Intranasal Oxytocin
n=25 Participants
Changes from baseline to week 12 on the ABC- Social Withdrawal
Placebo
n=29 Participants
Changes from baseline to week 24 on the ABC- Social Withdrawal
Efficacy of Intranasal Oxytocin vs. Placebo on Measures of Social Function
Baseline - Week 12
-2.43 units on a scale
Interval -5.06 to 0.21
-3.06 units on a scale
Interval -5.28 to -0.84
Efficacy of Intranasal Oxytocin vs. Placebo on Measures of Social Function
Baseline- Week 24
-1.34 units on a scale
Interval -4.22 to 1.55
-3.03 units on a scale
Interval -5.6 to -0.47

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 12 Weeks

This will be measured by a change in score the Revised Eyes Test (0- 28; where higher scores indicate better performance/improvement) Baseline to Week 12

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Intranasal Oxytocin
n=25 Participants
Changes from baseline to week 12 on the ABC- Social Withdrawal
Placebo
n=29 Participants
Changes from baseline to week 24 on the ABC- Social Withdrawal
Efficacy of Intranasal Oxytocin vs. Placebo on Measures of Social Cognition
0.14 score on a scale
Interval -1.57 to 1.3
-0.29 score on a scale
Interval -1.58 to 1.0

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 12 Weeks

This will be measured by improvement on the Let's Face it! Skills Battery from Baseline to Week 12 Social Cognition (higher score=better outcome) a. Let's Face It Skills Battery; i. Matchmaker (0-100); ii. Faces (0-100); iii. Houses (0-100)

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Intranasal Oxytocin
n=25 Participants
Changes from baseline to week 12 on the ABC- Social Withdrawal
Placebo
n=29 Participants
Changes from baseline to week 24 on the ABC- Social Withdrawal
Efficacy of Intranasal Oxytocin vs. Placebo on Measures of Social Cognition
Let's Face It Matchmaker
4.50 units on a scale
Interval -0.29 to 9.28
5.90 units on a scale
Interval 2.22 to 9.59
Efficacy of Intranasal Oxytocin vs. Placebo on Measures of Social Cognition
Let's Face It Faces
6.20 units on a scale
Interval 2.96 to 9.45
1.52 units on a scale
Interval -2.41 to 5.45
Efficacy of Intranasal Oxytocin vs. Placebo on Measures of Social Cognition
Let's Face It Houses
4.94 units on a scale
Interval -1.14 to 11.02
2.07 units on a scale
Interval -4.53 to 8.66

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 12 Weeks

This will be measured by improvement on the Behavioral Assessment System for Children (BASC-2) from Baseline to Week 12 Behavioral Assessment System for Children (higher score=positive response); i. \*Social Skills: age 6 to 11 (18-69); age 12 to 17 (21-70); ii. Functional Communication: age 6 to 11 (10-66); age 12 to 17 (10-64); iii. Withdrawal age 6-11 (21- 62) ; age 12-17 (14-42) \* only social subscales of BASC-2 reported

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Intranasal Oxytocin
n=25 Participants
Changes from baseline to week 12 on the ABC- Social Withdrawal
Placebo
n=29 Participants
Changes from baseline to week 24 on the ABC- Social Withdrawal
Efficacy of Intranasal Oxytocin vs. Placebo on Measures of Social Function
BASC-2 Social Skills
1.40 score on a scale
Interval 0.07 to 2.74
0.43 score on a scale
Interval -0.75 to 1.61
Efficacy of Intranasal Oxytocin vs. Placebo on Measures of Social Function
BASC-2 Withdrawal
-1.38 score on a scale
Interval -2.82 to 0.07
-1.74 score on a scale
Interval -3.12 to -0.36

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 12 Weeks

This will be measured by the Clinical Global Impressions - Improvement Scale - Social (CGI-I-Social) a) Clinical Global Impressions - Social Scale (1-7) (lower score=positive response). The results will be reported as the number of participants that were classified as a social responder (achieving a score of 1 or 2 on the scale).

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Intranasal Oxytocin
n=29 Participants
Changes from baseline to week 12 on the ABC- Social Withdrawal
Placebo
n=25 Participants
Changes from baseline to week 24 on the ABC- Social Withdrawal
Number of Participant Considered Social Responders
6 Participants
10 Participants

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 12 Weeks

This will be measured by improvement on the Child Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (CY-BOCS) from Baseline to Week 12 -lower score= positive response (0-20)

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Intranasal Oxytocin
n=25 Participants
Changes from baseline to week 12 on the ABC- Social Withdrawal
Placebo
n=29 Participants
Changes from baseline to week 24 on the ABC- Social Withdrawal
Efficacy of Intranasal Oxytocin vs. Placebo on Measures of Repetitive Behaviors
-2.77 units on a scale
Interval -4.2 to -1.34
-2.99 units on a scale
Interval -4.26 to -1.72

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 12 Weeks

This will be measured by improvement on the Repetitive Behavior Scale (RBS-R)(0-129; where lower score= positive response) from Baseline to Week 12

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Intranasal Oxytocin
n=25 Participants
Changes from baseline to week 12 on the ABC- Social Withdrawal
Placebo
n=29 Participants
Changes from baseline to week 24 on the ABC- Social Withdrawal
Efficacy of Intranasal Oxytocin vs. Placebo on Measures of Repetitive Behaviors
-6.74 units on a scale
Interval -12.52 to -0.96
-4.62 units on a scale
Interval -10.05 to 0.81

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 12 Weeks

This will be measured by the Child and Adolescent Symptom Inventory (CASI-4R) Generalized anxiety score (male (40-101); female (41-96) -where lower score= positive response) from Baseline to Week 12

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Intranasal Oxytocin
n=25 Participants
Changes from baseline to week 12 on the ABC- Social Withdrawal
Placebo
n=29 Participants
Changes from baseline to week 24 on the ABC- Social Withdrawal
Efficacy of Intranasal Oxytocin vs. Placebo on Measures of Anxiety
-4.45 units on a scale
Interval -6.72 to -2.19
-2.30 units on a scale
Interval -5.45 to 0.85

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 12 Weeks

This will be measured by improvement on the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) (0-100, where higher scores indicate positive response) from Baseline to Week 12

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Intranasal Oxytocin
n=25 Participants
Changes from baseline to week 12 on the ABC- Social Withdrawal
Placebo
n=29 Participants
Changes from baseline to week 24 on the ABC- Social Withdrawal
Efficacy of Intranasal Oxytocin vs. Placebo on Measures of Quality of Life
PedsQL Emotional Functioning
20.60 score on a scale
Interval 12.8 to 28.3
11.50 score on a scale
Interval 3.4 to 19.6
Efficacy of Intranasal Oxytocin vs. Placebo on Measures of Quality of Life
PedsQL Social Functioning
16.90 score on a scale
Interval 5.7 to 28.1
10.60 score on a scale
Interval 0.0 to 21.1
Efficacy of Intranasal Oxytocin vs. Placebo on Measures of Quality of Life
PedsQL School Functioning
11.1 score on a scale
Interval 2.2 to 20.0
8.1 score on a scale
Interval 0.3 to 15.9
Efficacy of Intranasal Oxytocin vs. Placebo on Measures of Quality of Life
PedsQL Health Summary
10.1 score on a scale
Interval 1.6 to 18.5
3.7 score on a scale
Interval -7.3 to 14.6
Efficacy of Intranasal Oxytocin vs. Placebo on Measures of Quality of Life
PedsQL Psychosocial
16.1 score on a scale
Interval 8.7 to 23.4
9.8 score on a scale
Interval 2.1 to 17.4
Efficacy of Intranasal Oxytocin vs. Placebo on Measures of Quality of Life
PedsQL Total
14.2 score on a scale
Interval 7.0 to 21.4
7.6 score on a scale
Interval -0.5 to 15.6

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 12 Weeks

This will be measured by the Clinical Global Impressions - Improvement Scale - Global (CGI-I-Global) (1-7) (lower score=positive response). The results will be reported as the number of participants that were classified as an overall responder (achieving a score of 1 or 2 on the scale).

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Intranasal Oxytocin
n=25 Participants
Changes from baseline to week 12 on the ABC- Social Withdrawal
Placebo
n=29 Participants
Changes from baseline to week 24 on the ABC- Social Withdrawal
Number of Participant Considered Overall Responders
8 Participants
8 Participants

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 12 Weeks

Population: Of the original 60 participants enrolled at baseline, 6 participants dropped from the study, and none experienced SAEs

This will be measured by the Safety Monitoring Uniform Report Form (SMURF)

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Intranasal Oxytocin
n=30 Participants
Changes from baseline to week 12 on the ABC- Social Withdrawal
Placebo
n=30 Participants
Changes from baseline to week 24 on the ABC- Social Withdrawal
Safety and Tolerability of Intranasal Oxytocin in Children and Adolescents With ASD
Drop-outs
5 Participants
1 Participants
Safety and Tolerability of Intranasal Oxytocin in Children and Adolescents With ASD
SAEs
0 Participants
0 Participants

Adverse Events

Intranasal Oxytocin (Syntocinon)

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 28 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Placebo

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 25 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Other adverse events
Measure
Intranasal Oxytocin (Syntocinon)
n=30 participants at risk
The proposed dosing schedule is 0.4 IU/kg, taken twice daily, for a maximum of 24 IUs per dose Intranasal Oxytocin
Placebo
n=30 participants at risk
The proposed dosing schedule is 0.4 IU/kg, taken twice daily, for a maximum of 24 IUs per dose Placebo
Blood and lymphatic system disorders
Lymphadenopathy
0.00%
0/30
3.3%
1/30
Cardiac disorders
Palpitations
3.3%
1/30
0.00%
0/30
Ear and labyrinth disorders
Ear congestion
0.00%
0/30
3.3%
1/30
Ear and labyrinth disorders
Ear discomfort
3.3%
1/30
0.00%
0/30
Ear and labyrinth disorders
Ear pain
3.3%
1/30
0.00%
0/30
Ear and labyrinth disorders
Hypoacusis
3.3%
1/30
0.00%
0/30
Ear and labyrinth disorders
Motion sickness
0.00%
0/30
3.3%
1/30
Eye disorders
Diplopa
3.3%
1/30
0.00%
0/30
Eye disorders
Eye irritation
0.00%
0/30
3.3%
1/30
Eye disorders
Eye pain
0.00%
0/30
3.3%
1/30
Eye disorders
Eyelid thickening
0.00%
0/30
3.3%
1/30
Eye disorders
Myopia
6.7%
2/30
0.00%
0/30
Eye disorders
Vision blurred
0.00%
0/30
3.3%
1/30
Gastrointestinal disorders
Abdominal discomfort
3.3%
1/30
3.3%
1/30
Gastrointestinal disorders
Abdominal distension
3.3%
1/30
0.00%
0/30
Gastrointestinal disorders
Abdominal pain
3.3%
1/30
10.0%
3/30
Gastrointestinal disorders
Abdominal pain upper
0.00%
0/30
3.3%
1/30
Gastrointestinal disorders
Aphthous stomatitis
3.3%
1/30
0.00%
0/30
Gastrointestinal disorders
Dental caries
3.3%
1/30
0.00%
0/30
Gastrointestinal disorders
Diarrhoea
6.7%
2/30
10.0%
3/30
Gastrointestinal disorders
Dry mouth
0.00%
0/30
3.3%
1/30
Gastrointestinal disorders
Dyspepsia
0.00%
0/30
3.3%
1/30
Gastrointestinal disorders
Loose tooth
0.00%
0/30
3.3%
1/30
Gastrointestinal disorders
Nausea
0.00%
0/30
10.0%
3/30
Gastrointestinal disorders
Vomiting
0.00%
0/30
13.3%
4/30
General disorders
Chest pain
6.7%
2/30
3.3%
1/30
General disorders
Decreased activity
3.3%
1/30
0.00%
0/30
General disorders
Energy increased
3.3%
1/30
0.00%
0/30
General disorders
Fatigue
6.7%
2/30
16.7%
5/30
General disorders
Feeling hot
0.00%
0/30
3.3%
1/30
General disorders
Medical device complication
3.3%
1/30
0.00%
0/30
General disorders
Pain
0.00%
0/30
6.7%
2/30
General disorders
Pyrexia
3.3%
1/30
6.7%
2/30
Immune system disorders
Hypersensitivity
3.3%
1/30
0.00%
0/30
Immune system disorders
Multiple allergies
3.3%
1/30
3.3%
1/30
Infections and infestations
Cellulitis
0.00%
0/30
3.3%
1/30
Immune system disorders
Conjunctivitis infective
0.00%
0/30
3.3%
1/30
Infections and infestations
Ear infection
3.3%
1/30
0.00%
0/30
Infections and infestations
Gastroenteritis
0.00%
0/30
3.3%
1/30
Infections and infestations
Gastrointestinal viral infection
3.3%
1/30
6.7%
2/30
Infections and infestations
Infected bites
3.3%
1/30
0.00%
0/30
Infections and infestations
Influenza
6.7%
2/30
0.00%
0/30
Infections and infestations
Lice infestation
3.3%
1/30
0.00%
0/30
Infections and infestations
Otitis media
0.00%
0/30
3.3%
1/30
Infections and infestations
Pharyngitis
3.3%
1/30
0.00%
0/30
Infections and infestations
Pharyngitis streptococcal
0.00%
0/30
6.7%
2/30
Infections and infestations
Staphylcoccal skin infection
0.00%
0/30
3.3%
1/30
Infections and infestations
Upper respiratory tract infection
43.3%
13/30
23.3%
7/30
Infections and infestations
Viral infection
3.3%
1/30
0.00%
0/30
Infections and infestations
Viral upper respiratory tract infection
0.00%
0/30
3.3%
1/30
Injury, poisoning and procedural complications
Arthropod sting
3.3%
1/30
0.00%
0/30
Injury, poisoning and procedural complications
Concussion
0.00%
0/30
3.3%
1/30
Injury, poisoning and procedural complications
Fall
0.00%
0/30
3.3%
1/30
Injury, poisoning and procedural complications
Injury
3.3%
1/30
3.3%
1/30
Injury, poisoning and procedural complications
Joint injury
3.3%
1/30
0.00%
0/30
Injury, poisoning and procedural complications
Ligament sprain
0.00%
0/30
3.3%
1/30
Injury, poisoning and procedural complications
Spinal column injury
3.3%
1/30
0.00%
0/30
Infections and infestations
Tendon injury
0.00%
0/30
3.3%
1/30
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Arthralgia
0.00%
0/30
3.3%
1/30
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Back pain
6.7%
2/30
6.7%
2/30
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Medial tibial stress syndrome
0.00%
0/30
3.3%
1/30
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Muscle spasms
6.7%
2/30
0.00%
0/30
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Musculoskeletal pain
0.00%
0/30
3.3%
1/30
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Myalgia
3.3%
1/30
0.00%
0/30
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Pain in extremity
0.00%
0/30
3.3%
1/30
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Pain in jaw
0.00%
0/30
3.3%
1/30
Nervous system disorders
Disturbance in attention
3.3%
1/30
0.00%
0/30
Nervous system disorders
Dizziness
0.00%
0/30
13.3%
4/30
Nervous system disorders
Headache
6.7%
2/30
16.7%
5/30
Nervous system disorders
Loss of consciousness
3.3%
1/30
0.00%
0/30
Nervous system disorders
Sedation
3.3%
1/30
0.00%
0/30
Nervous system disorders
Sinus headache
0.00%
0/30
3.3%
1/30
Nervous system disorders
Sleep paralysis
0.00%
0/30
3.3%
1/30
Psychiatric disorders
Abnormal dreams
3.3%
1/30
0.00%
0/30
Psychiatric disorders
Affect liability
0.00%
0/30
3.3%
1/30
Psychiatric disorders
Anxiety
10.0%
3/30
3.3%
1/30
Psychiatric disorders
Attention-seeking behaviour
3.3%
1/30
0.00%
0/30
Psychiatric disorders
Coonfusional state
0.00%
0/30
3.3%
1/30
Psychiatric disorders
Depressed mood
3.3%
1/30
0.00%
0/30
Psychiatric disorders
Euphoric mood
0.00%
0/30
3.3%
1/30
Psychiatric disorders
Initial insomnia
13.3%
4/30
6.7%
2/30
Psychiatric disorders
Insomnia
0.00%
0/30
3.3%
1/30
Psychiatric disorders
Irritability
0.00%
0/30
13.3%
4/30
Psychiatric disorders
Middle insomnia
3.3%
1/30
6.7%
2/30
Psychiatric disorders
Mood altered
0.00%
0/30
3.3%
1/30
Psychiatric disorders
Mood swings
3.3%
1/30
3.3%
1/30
Psychiatric disorders
Paranoia
3.3%
1/30
0.00%
0/30
Psychiatric disorders
Self injurious behaviour
0.00%
0/30
3.3%
1/30
Psychiatric disorders
Social avoidant behaviour
0.00%
0/30
3.3%
1/30
Psychiatric disorders
Terminal insomnia
6.7%
2/30
6.7%
2/30
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Cough
6.7%
2/30
3.3%
1/30
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Epistaxis
23.3%
7/30
13.3%
4/30
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Nasal congestion
16.7%
5/30
23.3%
7/30
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Nasal dryness
3.3%
1/30
0.00%
0/30
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Oropharyngeal pain
13.3%
4/30
6.7%
2/30
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Acne
3.3%
1/30
0.00%
0/30
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Dyskinesia
3.3%
1/30
0.00%
0/30
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Ingrowing nail
0.00%
0/30
6.7%
2/30
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Pruritus
3.3%
1/30
0.00%
0/30
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Rash
3.3%
1/30
6.7%
2/30
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Urticaria
3.3%
1/30
6.7%
2/30
Vascular disorders
Flushing
3.3%
1/30
0.00%
0/30
Metabolism and nutrition disorders
Decreased appetite
6.7%
2/30
10.0%
3/30
Metabolism and nutrition disorders
Hyperphagia
3.3%
1/30
0.00%
0/30
Metabolism and nutrition disorders
Increased appetite
13.3%
4/30
3.3%
1/30
Reproductive system and breast disorders
Breast swelling
3.3%
1/30
3.3%
1/30
Reproductive system and breast disorders
Pruritus genital
0.00%
0/30
3.3%
1/30

Additional Information

Lisa Genore

Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital

Phone: 416-425-6220

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place