Results showed no significant effects on core symptomatology .
In conclusion , up to date , evidence regarding the potential utility of IN-OT in treating anxiety and depression is still inconclusive .
Several studies have demonstrated the neuromodulating function of oxytocin ( OT ) in response to anxiogenic stimuli as well as its potential role in the pathogenesis of depression .
Consequently , intranasal OT ( IN-OT ) has been proposed as a potential treatment of  anxiety and depressive disorders .
The present systematic review aim ed to summarize the r and omized controlled trials ( RCTs ) evaluating the effect of IN-OT on anxiety and depressive symptoms .
Oxytocin in postnatally depressed mothers: Its influence on mood and expressed emotion
BACKGROUND Postnatal depression is common and negatively affects the mother-baby relationship ; oxytocin has been found to have positive effects on parenting behavior . We hypothesize that intranasal administration of oxytocin to mothers with depression will influence their parenting related expressed emotion , creating a better basis for sensitive parenting . METHODS Twenty-five postnatally depressed mothers with infants less than one year participated in a r and omized , double-blind , placebo controlled within-subject clinical study in 2011 . Mothers attended an out-patient perinatal psychiatry setting in NSW , Australia . They received 24 IU of oxytocin alternating with placebo approximately one week apart in r and om order , prior to completing outcome measures . The outcome measures were the Five Minute Speech Sample , the Self- Assessment Manikin and the Controlled Oral Word Association Test . RESULTS In the oxytocin condition mothers were sadder ( p=.01 ) , and they more often initially described their babies as difficult ( p=.038 ) , but they reported that the quality of their relationship with their infant was more positive ( p=.036 ) . LIMITATIONS Despite an adequate sample size to answer our central hypothesis , a larger sample may have eluci date d a moderating effect of childhood trauma . CONCLUSION Oxytocin did not make depressed mothers  happier but their perception of the relationship with their baby improved . Treatment with intranasal oxytocin might show some unwanted side-effects in depressed individuals
Results showed no significant effects on core symptomatology .
In conclusion , up to date , evidence regarding the potential utility of IN-OT in treating anxiety and depression is still inconclusive .
Several studies have demonstrated the neuromodulating function of oxytocin ( OT ) in response to anxiogenic stimuli as well as its potential role in the pathogenesis of depression .
Consequently , intranasal OT ( IN-OT ) has been proposed as a potential treatment of  anxiety and depressive disorders .
The present systematic review aim ed to summarize the r and omized controlled trials ( RCTs ) evaluating the effect of IN-OT on anxiety and depressive symptoms .