Journal article
Sex Differences in Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Review
Current psychiatry reports, Vol.20(2), pp.9-17
03/05/2018
DOI: 10.1007/s11920-018-0874-2
PMCID: PMC6477922
PMID: 29504047
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders disproportionately affect males. The mechanisms underlying male vulnerability or female protection are not known and remain understudied. Determining the processes involved is crucial to understanding the etiology and advancing treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders. Here, we review current findings and theories that contribute to male preponderance of neurodevelopmental disorders, with a focus on autism.\nRecent work on the biological basis of the male preponderance of autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders includes discussion of a higher genetic burden in females and sex-specific gene mutations or epigenetic changes that differentially confer risk to males or protection to females. Other mechanisms discussed are sex chromosome and sex hormone involvement. Specifically, fetal testosterone is involved in many aspects of development and may interact with neurotransmitter, neuropeptide, or immune pathways to contribute to male vulnerability. Finally, the possibilities of female underdiagnosis and a multi-hit hypothesis are discussed. This review highlights current theories of male bias in developmental disorders. Topics include environmental, genetic, and epigenetic mechanisms; theories of sex chromosomes, hormones, neuroendocrine, and immune function; underdiagnosis of females; and a multi-hit hypothesis.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Sex Differences in Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Review
- Creators
- Sarah L Ferri - Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Pappajohn Biomedical Discovery Building, 169 Newton Road, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USATed Abel - Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Pappajohn Biomedical Discovery Building, 169 Newton Road, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USAEdward S Brodkin - Center for Neurobiology and Behavior, Department of Psychiatry, Translational Research Laboratory, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, 125 South 31st Street, Room 2202, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-3403, USA. ebrodkin@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Current psychiatry reports, Vol.20(2), pp.9-17
- Publisher
- United States
- DOI
- 10.1007/s11920-018-0874-2
- PMID
- 29504047
- PMCID
- PMC6477922
- ISSN
- 1523-3812
- eISSN
- 1535-1645
- Grant note
- R34 MH104407 / NIMH NIH HHS
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 03/05/2018
- Academic Unit
- Molecular Physiology and Biophysics; Psychiatry; Stead Family Department of Pediatrics; Psychological and Brain Sciences; Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics; Neuroscience and Pharmacology; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Record Identifier
- 9984070854902771
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