OXT and autism: The neuropeptide theory of autism is backed up by evidence from animal research.528,529 OT has been discovered to play an important role in relationship formation and social functioning.530 Dozens of clinical trials have studied the effects of intranasal oxytocin on ASD.531–534 Although there is no substantial treatment-specific improvement in core social symptoms, recent findings on the long-term beneficial effects on repeated behaviours and feelings of avoidance are encouraging and suggest that OT may have therapeutic promise in the treatment of ASD.