The neuropeptide oxytocin has garnered considerable interest for its role in social behavior and its potential for the treatment of psychiatric illnesses characterised by social dysfunction, such as autism. However, initial excitement has largely turned to disappointment with some studies failing to replicate earlier results, which has been attributed to issues related to research methods, mechanistic understanding, and theory development. In this talk, I discuss my group’s efforts to improve methods for accelerating the translation of oxytocin treatment, including work determining the most effective dosage and evidence for nosetobrain oxytocin delivery. I also describe approaches for increasing reproducibility in the field, such as surveying statistical power levels for a range of effect sizes for both positive and null results. Finally, I present research that aims to improve theory by answering four questions: how did the oxytocin system evolve, how does the oxytocin system enhance survival, how does the oxytocin system work, and how does the oxytocin system develop in the individual?

This talk was delivered remotely at the International Society of Psychoneuroendocrinology (ISPNE) annual meeting on September 8, 2022. The slidedeck can be found here: https://osf.io/gckpz