title: Sex differences in digit ratio (2D:4D) are disrupted in adolescents with schizotypal personality disorder: altered prenatal gonadal hormone levels as a risk factor.
abstract: The 2nd to 4th finger digit ratio (2D:4D) is a sexually dimorphic feature determined during gestation indexing prenatal androgen/estrogen levels. More 'feminized' 2D:4D phenotype has been demonstrated in schizophrenia versus same-sex controls. This study examined 2D:4D in adolescents with schizotypal personality disorder (SPD). Among normal controls, right 2D:4D was significantly greater (more feminized) in females than males. We replicated laterality effects; significant sex differences only on right. There were no significant sex differences among SPDs. Diagnostic group differences were restricted to White/Caucasian males with greater right 2D:4D in SPDs. Findings suggest disruptions in prenatal gonadal hormones in vulnerability for schizophrenia.
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department at Brooklyn College-City University of New York, Brooklyn, NY 11210, USA. dwalder@brooklyn.cuny.edu
authors.forename: Deborah J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Walder
authors.forename: Terese L C
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Andersson
authors.forename: Amanda L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: McMillan
authors.forename: S Marc
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Breedlove
authors.forename: Elaine F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Walker
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000886:Anthropometry / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000473:pathology*; D042341:Gonadal Hormones; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D012307:Risk Factors; D012569:Schizotypal Personality Disorder / Q000473:pathology*; D012727:Sex Characteristics
chemical_list: D042341:Gonadal Hormones