Salivary Oxytocin and Socio-Emotional Functioning in Children and Adolescents With and Without Autism Spectrum Disorder

This study compared salivary oxytocin levels and inflammatory markers between 26 children/adolescents with ASD and 23 typically developing controls, finding significantly lower oxytocin in the ASD group. Across all participants, higher oxytocin levels were associated with greater self-esteem and perceived social support, suggesting a link between oxytocinergic function and socio-emotional outcomes in autism.