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Molecular Autism
Published in: Molecular Autism 1/2015

Open Access 01-12-2015 | Research

Social communication and emotion difficulties and second to fourth digit ratio in a large community-based sample

Authors: Manuela Barona, Radha Kothari, David Skuse, Nadia Micali

Published in: Molecular Autism | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

Background

Recent research investigating the extreme male brain theory of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has drawn attention to the possibility that autistic type social difficulties may be associated with high prenatal testosterone exposure. This study aims to investigate the association between social communication and emotion recognition difficulties and second to fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) and circulating maternal testosterone during pregnancy in a large community-based cohort: the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). A secondary aim is to investigate possible gender differences in the associations.

Methods

Data on social communication (Social and Communication Disorders Checklist, N = 7165), emotion recognition (emotional triangles, N = 5844 and diagnostics analysis of non-verbal accuracy, N = 7488) and 2D:4D (second to fourth digit ratio, N = 7159) were collected in childhood and early adolescence from questionnaires and face-to-face assessments. Complete data was available on 3515 children. Maternal circulating testosterone during pregnancy was available in a subsample of 89 children.

Results

Males had lower 2D:4D ratios than females [t (3513) = −9.775, p < 0.001]. An association was found between measures of social communication and emotion recognition, and the lowest 10 % of 2D:4D ratios. A significant association was found between maternal circulating testosterone and left hand 2D:4D [OR = 1.65, 95 % CI 1.1–2.4, p < 0.01].

Conclusions

Previous findings on the association between 2D:4D and social communication difficulties were not confirmed. A novel association between an extreme measure of 2D:4D in males suggests threshold effects and warrants replication.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Social communication and emotion difficulties and second to fourth digit ratio in a large community-based sample
Authors
Manuela Barona
Radha Kothari
David Skuse
Nadia Micali
Publication date
01-12-2015
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Molecular Autism / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 2040-2392
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13229-015-0063-7

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