Scientists at the Autism
Research Centre at the University of Cambridge have reported that studies using
magnetic resonance imaging have revealed that autism affects the brain of males
and females differently. Estimates are that autism affects about 1% of the
general public. Because more males than females have been identified, most
studies have used male-dominant samples. This has resulted in a male-based
understanding of this condition. According to Professor Simon Baron-Cohen,
senior author of the paper, one of the new findings was “that females with
autism show neuroanatomical 'masculinization'. This may implicate physiological
mechanisms that drive sexual dimorphism, such as prenatal sex hormones and
sex-linked genetic mechanisms." The article summary indicated that autism
appears to manifest itself differently based on biological sex, although how differences in neuroanatomy relate to the similarities
in cognition between males and females with autism remains to be understood.
Future research should stratify by biological sex to reduce heterogeneity and
to provide greater insight into the neurobiology of autism.
University of Cambridge. "Autism affects different parts of
the brain in women and men." ScienceDaily,
9 Aug. 2013. Web. 20 Aug. 2013.
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