Exploratory examine reveals how the diminished results of intercourse hormones throughout the early growth in males are partially associated to traits ceaselessly noticed in ASD. Credit score: Dr. Atsuko Saito / Sophia College, Japan
Why have males been overrepresented amongst geniuses in STEM fields up to now? A well-liked organic psychological rationalization is the “Extreme Male Brain Theory” (EMB), which means that an overdose of prenatal androgen (male hormone) results in the hyper-masculine mind kind, characterised by a powerful geek tendency and insensitivity to others’ emotions.
This concept explains the etiology of autism spectrum dysfunction (ASD) and inevitably connects prenatal androgen motion with skills in particular fields.
Nevertheless, the present analysis reveals proof that the alternative story is perhaps true: diminished androgen publicity in males might play a big position in shaping autism-associated traits.
This exploratory analysis was led by Dr. Atsuko Saito, Affiliate Professor within the Division of Psychology at Sophia College, together with Mx. Shintaro Tawata from the Graduate Faculty of Human Sciences, Sophia College, and Professor Kikue Sakaguchi from the Analysis Division, Nationwide Establishment for Educational Levels and High quality Enhancement of Greater Training.
Their findings had been printed in Frontiers in Baby and Adolescent Psychiatry on November 8, 2024.
The researchers had been impressed to discover the connection between neurodevelopmental diversities and sexual minorities, particularly these presumed to have been uncovered to atypical results of intercourse steroid hormones throughout early growth. These hormonal variations, they hypothesized, would possibly affect the sensory and cognitive traits generally related to autism.
To analyze, the researchers analyzed the overall inhabitants for autism-related traits like savant syndrome, sensory sensitivity, and synesthesia. Savant syndrome entails distinctive skills in particular areas, whereas synesthesia is when one sensory stimulus involuntarily triggers one other (e.g., listening to colours or seeing sounds).
To this finish, the researchers examined 4 participant teams: 22 people with Klinefelter syndrome (KS), 66 sexual minorities assigned male at delivery, and two management teams—36 males with out Klinefelter syndrome or gender non-conforming traits and 583 within the second management group for reanalysis.
Klinefelter syndrome is characterised by an additional X chromosome (XXY), which emerges in 1/660 male births, usually resulting in diminished androgen ranges and neurodevelopmental issues. Individuals accomplished self-reported questionnaires on sensory sensitivity, savant skills, synesthesia, and gender-related traits.
The info had been analyzed utilizing two strategies: exploratory evaluation and reanalysis. The exploratory evaluation explored relationships between sensory sensitivity, savant skills, synesthesia, and gender-related traits throughout teams. Reanalysis was performed with a bigger management group to confirm the preliminary findings.
The outcomes had been hanging. People with Klinefelter syndrome and sexual minorities exhibited considerably greater ranges of sensory hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity in comparison with controls. These traits had been most pronounced in individuals with gender dysphoria (or dissatisfaction), the place gender identification conflicts with the assigned intercourse at delivery.
Synesthesia was extra frequent amongst sexual minorities (18.2%), in comparison with the controls (2.8%). Savant skills, equivalent to distinctive reminiscence, spatial reasoning, and inventive expertise, had been additionally extra widespread in sexual minorities.
Elaborating additional, the researchers say, “Our findings suggest that androgynous traits, marked by reduced androgen exposure during development, may contribute to the sensory and cognitive characteristics often seen in ASD.”
Including additional, “This challenges the EMB theory and offers a fresh perspective on how early hormonal influences shape neurodevelopment.”
What’s extra, this examine additionally attracts a connection between gender dysphoria and atypical sensory notion, highlighting variations in sensory processing and self-concept integration.
“Our findings suggest that individuals with gender dysphoria may process sensory information differently, which could influence how they form their sense of self,” clarify the researchers.
“Although our findings may not immediately result in changes to clinical practice, they hold significant potential to enhance self-understanding, raise awareness, and empower sexual minorities and individuals at high risk for neurodevelopmental disorders.”
In conclusion, this examine sheds mild on the intersection of gender and neurodiversity and in addition highlights the necessity for additional exploration utilizing numerous methodologies and pattern teams to achieve a deeper understanding of neurological growth.
Extra data:
Shintaro Tawata et al, Androgyny and atypical sensory sensitivity related to savant means: a comparability between Klinefelter syndrome and sexual minorities assigned male at delivery, Frontiers in Baby and Adolescent Psychiatry (2024). DOI: 10.3389/frcha.2024.1356802
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Exploring gender and neurodiversity: Lowered androgen ranges linked to autism-associated traits (2025, January 8)
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