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 .
Intranasal adminsitration of oxytocin in postnatal depression: implications for psychodynamic psychotherapy from a randomized double-blind pilot study
Oxytocin is a neuropeptide that is active in the central nervous system and is generally considered to be involved in prosocial behaviors and feelings . In light of its documented positive effect on maternal behavior , we design ed a study to ascertain whether oxytocin exerts any therapeutic effects on depressive symptoms in women affected by maternal postnatal depression . A group of 16 mothers were recruited in a r and omized double-blind study : the women agreed to take part in a brief course of psychoanalytic psychotherapy ( 12 sessions , once a week ) while also being administered , during the 12-weeks period , a daily dose of intranasal oxytocin ( or a placebo ) . The pre-treatment evaluation also included a personality assessment of the major primary -process emotional comm and systems described by Panksepp ( ) and a semi-quantitative assessment by the therapist of the mother ’s depressive symptoms and of her personality . No significant effect on depressive symptomatology was found following the administration of oxytocin ( as compared to a placebo ) during the period of psychotherapy . Nevertheless , a personality trait evaluation of the mothers , conducted in our overall sample group , showed a decrease in the narcissistic trait only within the group who took oxytocin . The depressive ( dysphoric ) trait was in fact significantly affected by psychotherapy ( this effect was only present in the placebo group so it may reflect a positive placebo effect enhancing the favorable influence of psychotherapy on depressive symptoms ) but not in the presence of oxytocin . Therefore , the neuropeptide would appear to play some role in the modulation of cerebral functions involved in the self-centered ( narcissistic ) dimension of the suffering that can occur with postnatal depression . Based on these results , there was support for our hypothesis that what is generally defined as postnatal depression may include disturbances of narcissistic affective balance , and oxytocin supplementation can counteract that type of affective disturbance . The result ing improvements in well-being , reflected in better self-centering in post-partuent mothers , may in turn facilitate better interpersonal acceptance of ( and interactions with ) the child and thereby , improved recognition of the child ’s needs
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 .