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 oxytocin administration prior to exposure therapy for arachnophobia impedes treatment response.
BACKGROUND Recent years have seen the emergence of a new paradigm for treatment of anxiety disorders focusing on development of drugs that facilitate psychotherapies via targeted effects on neuroplasticity . One compound that has generated interest in this regard is oxytocin ( OT ) , a mammalian neuropeptide that modulates activity of the neurocircuit mediating fear extinction and memory processes . Recent research in healthy humans has suggested that intranasal OT administered prior to fear extinction training enhances fear extinction performance , supporting its potential to augment exposure-based psychotherapy . Here , we tested the hypothesis that OT treatment would facilitate response to exposure therapy in patients with specific phobia . METHODS We conducted a small proof-of-concept trial investigating the effect of pretreatment intranasal OT administration on a brief , single-session exposure treatment for arachnophobia ( fear of spiders ) . The study was r and omized , double-blind , and placebo controlled ( n = 13 placebo , 11 females ; n = 10 OT , 8 females ) with 1-week and 1-month follow-up assessment s. Dependent measures attended to arachnophobia symptoms ( self-report ) , phobic behavior ( behavioral avoidance of spider task ) , and treatment credibility/therapeutic alliance . RESULTS Administration of OT prior to exposure therapy tended to impede treatment response as measured by self-report of symptoms at both follow-up periods . OT treatment did not significantly affect behavioral measures of fear . Immediately after OT administration but before therapy , the OT group trended toward less confidence in the treatment . The OT group also trended toward lower ratings of therapeutic alliance than placebo . CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that OT administration effects on extinction may vary depending on conditions and population
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 .