An Open-Label Trial of Oxytocin in Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorders

Inclusion Criteria

1. Male and female outpatients ages 11-17 years

2. DSM-IV-TR PDD diagnosis of autistic disorder, Asperger's disorder, or PDD-NOS as
established by clinical diagnostic interview and with the aid of the MGH ASD Symptom
Checklist (MGH-ASD-SCL).

3. At least moderate severity of ASD impairment as measured by a raw score of ≥80 on the
SRS and a severity score of ≥4 on CGI-PDD.

4. Participants and their parent/guardian must be able to speak and understand English
sufficiently to comprehend the nature of the study and to allow for the completion of
all study procedures required per protocol.

5. Subjects and their parent/guardian must be considered reliable reporters.

6. Each subject and their parent/guardian must understand the nature of the study and
provide written informed assent/consent.

7. Subjects must be able to participate in mandatory blood draws.

8. Subjects with mood, anxiety, or disruptive behavior disorders will be allowed to
participate in the study provided they do not meet any exclusionary criteria.

Exclusion Criteria

1. IQ <85

2. Total lack of spoken language

3. DSM-IV-TR PDD diagnosis of Rett's disorder or childhood disintegrative disorder.

4. Clinically unstable psychiatric conditions or judged to be at serious suicidal risk as
determined by evaluating investigator.

5. History of substance use (except nicotine or caffeine) within past 3 months

6. Serious, stable or unstable systemic illness including hepatic, renal,
gastroenterological, respiratory, cardiovascular (including ischemic heart disease),
endocrinologic, neurologic, immunologic, or hematologic disease.

7. Subjects with severe hepatic impairment (LFTs > 3 times ULN) and those with severely
impaired renal function (eGFR < 30).

8. Pregnant or nursing females.

9. Known hypersensitivity to oxytocin.

10. Severe allergies or multiple adverse drug reactions.

11. A non-responder or history of intolerance to oxytocin, after treatment at adequate
doses as determined by the clinician.

12. Subjects with significant nasal pathology (including atrophic rhinitis, recurrent nose
bleeds, and history of hypophysectomy).

13. Investigator and his/her immediate family defined as the investigator's spouse,
parent, child, grandparent, or grandchild.

14. Currently enrolled or recently participated (within the past 6 months) in a clinical
trial of intranasal oxytocin.