The oxytocin study: A translational approach from molecular biology to behaviour analysis

Introduction:

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder whose core symptoms include deficits in social interaction and communication besides restricted and repetitive behaviors (Yamasue and Domes, 2017). Central nervous oxytocin (OXT) has been associated with various social behaviors including social attachment, pair bonding, aggression, and others (Donaldson and Young, 2008). Recent meta-analyses point to an involvement of OXT in the pathogenesis of disorders associated with social impairments such as ASD (Kirsch, 2015). In this study we aim to explore the potential role of OXT as a biomarker of ASD, to better understand its etiological pathways, and ultimately to ameliorate the associated social-cognitive and behavioral symptoms.

Methods:

Adults with ASD (IQ > 70) and healthy age-matched controls are recruited for the study. In a thorough medical assessment prior to sample collection detailed information including lifestyle factors, medication history, and anthropometric data are obtained.

Stress task:

Associations between central and peripheral OXT levels were predominantly observed after experimentally induced stress, but not under baseline conditions (Valstad et al., 2017). According to these findings OXT release is induced through physical exercise (ergometry). Collecting blood and saliva samples under baseline and post-stress conditions allow us to measure the change in peripheral levels which is likely to represent the stress response of the OXT system.

Behavioral and neural assessments:

A variety of behavioral and neural studies including questionnaires, social interactive paradigms, and MRI analyses will be applied in order to investigate behavioral and neural responses of social stimuli in relation to the peripheral OXT levels.

Results:

The recruitment process will be finished in March 2019. First results will be available in May 2019.

Conclusion:

Ideally, this translational pathway will contribute to a better understanding of the pathomechanisms underlying ASD, and furthermore, reveal new diagnostic and therapeutic targets. Based on the study findings, an intervention study including psychotherapeutic and pharmacological elements (e.g. OXT application) will be implemented at the day clinic for disorders of social interaction at the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry.