The intranasal administration of the neuropeptide oxytocin has gained increasing interest as a possible treatment for targeting the socio-communicative difficulties that are characteristic for distinct neuropsychiatric conditions, including ASD. Following preclinical research in animal models, oxytocin has been implemented in various human clinical trials, however with mixed outcomes. 

Through an already running randomised clinical trial, the host of the DC at KUL is obtaining a deeper mechanistic understanding into the underlying neurophysiological substrates of oxytocin treatment. Given the large heterogeneity of ASD, a specific aim of this project lies in identifying mediating factors of treatment response. In addition to gaining insights into the clinical efficacy of the oxytocin treatment, a major bioethical philosophical science focus of the project will be to obtain a qualitative evaluation of the expectations and perceptions of the treatment by conducting semi-structured interviews with the participating patients and/or their parents and health care providers. As the expectations and perceptions of a biological intervention may have a huge influence on how the person and their environment evaluate the effects of intervention, we aim at gaining deeper insights into these issues.

We expect to better understand the effects of inter-individual and contextual heterogeneity. Particularly in light of the project’s strategic and application potential, the obtained qualitative insights will aid in formulating clinical-ethical recommendations for clinicians/patient organisations on the clinical use of the oxytocin as a potential novel treatment for ASD.