title: Association of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone with externalizing behavior in adolescent boys and girls.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  While an association between androgens and different types of aggression has been well documented in male offenders, the influence of androgens on externalizing behavior in adolescents at risk for antisocial behavior has not been investigated so far.
  
  
  METHODS
  Plasma levels of the main androgen metabolites testosterone (T) and 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) were measured in N = 87 fourteen-year-old (36 boys, 51 girls) from a prospective longitudinal study of children at risk. Externalizing behavior at age 8, 11 and 14 was assessed using the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and Teacher Report Form (TRF).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant higher androgen levels (T, DHT) were found in male, but not in female adolescents with elevated scores of externalizing behavior. Moreover, boys with persistent externalizing behavior exhibited the highest levels of plasma androgens.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a link between T, DHT and externalizing behavior in male adolescents at risk for psychopathology. Due to the findings of highest androgen levels in boys with persistent externalizing behavior, a role of androgens in the development of disruptive or later antisocial disorders can be hypothesized.
authors.affiliation: Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, P.O. Box 122120, 68072 Mannheim, Germany. maras@zi-mannheim.de
authors.forename: Athanasios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maras
authors.forename: Manfred
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Laucht
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gerdes
authors.forename: Cindy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wilhelm
authors.forename: Sabina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lewicka
authors.forename: Doris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Haack
authors.forename: Lucie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Malisova
authors.forename: Martin H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Schmidt
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; D013739:Testosterone