The 2D : 4D Digit Ratio as a Biomarker for Autism Spectrum Disorder
It has been suggested that the second (2D, index finger) to fourth (4D, ring finger) digit ratio, 2D : 4D, may be a biomarker for the risk of developing autism. The aim of the current study was to determine the usefulness of the 2D : 4D digit ratio as biomarker for autistic traits. N=401 healthy you...
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Series: | Autism Research and Treatment |
Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2017/1048302 |
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doaj-5d27712155b844d5842ca4749e7fbf082020-11-24T23:15:10ZengHindawi LimitedAutism Research and Treatment2090-19252090-19332017-01-01201710.1155/2017/10483021048302The 2D : 4D Digit Ratio as a Biomarker for Autism Spectrum DisorderM. Mackus0D. de Kruijff1L. S. Otten2A. D. Kraneveld3J. Garssen4J. C. Verster5Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, NetherlandsDivision of Pharmacology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, NetherlandsDivision of Pharmacology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, NetherlandsDivision of Pharmacology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, NetherlandsDivision of Pharmacology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, NetherlandsDivision of Pharmacology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, NetherlandsIt has been suggested that the second (2D, index finger) to fourth (4D, ring finger) digit ratio, 2D : 4D, may be a biomarker for the risk of developing autism. The aim of the current study was to determine the usefulness of the 2D : 4D digit ratio as biomarker for autistic traits. N=401 healthy young volunteers participated in the study. For both hands, digit lengths were measured using digital Vernier calipers. In addition to demographics, the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) questionnaire was completed, comprised of five subscales, assessing “social insights and behavior,” “attention switching,” “communication,” “imagination,” and “attention to detail.” Overall, no significant correlations were observed between the AQ total score, its subscales, and the 2D : 4D digit ratio. For women, the left hand 2D : 4D digit ratio correlated significantly with the subscale score “communication” (r=-0.142; p=0.036). For men, a significant positive correlation was found between the left 2D : 4D digit ratio and the total AQ score (r=0.157; p=0.042) and AQ subscale “attention switching” (r=0.182; p=0.017). In conclusion, gender specific associations between the 2D : 4D digit ratio and specific autism traits were observed, which were stronger in men than in women. Future studies should be conducted in patients that are formally diagnosed with autism.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2017/1048302 |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
M. Mackus D. de Kruijff L. S. Otten A. D. Kraneveld J. Garssen J. C. Verster |
spellingShingle |
M. Mackus D. de Kruijff L. S. Otten A. D. Kraneveld J. Garssen J. C. Verster The 2D : 4D Digit Ratio as a Biomarker for Autism Spectrum Disorder Autism Research and Treatment |
author_facet |
M. Mackus D. de Kruijff L. S. Otten A. D. Kraneveld J. Garssen J. C. Verster |
author_sort |
M. Mackus |
title |
The 2D : 4D Digit Ratio as a Biomarker for Autism Spectrum Disorder |
title_short |
The 2D : 4D Digit Ratio as a Biomarker for Autism Spectrum Disorder |
title_full |
The 2D : 4D Digit Ratio as a Biomarker for Autism Spectrum Disorder |
title_fullStr |
The 2D : 4D Digit Ratio as a Biomarker for Autism Spectrum Disorder |
title_full_unstemmed |
The 2D : 4D Digit Ratio as a Biomarker for Autism Spectrum Disorder |
title_sort |
2d : 4d digit ratio as a biomarker for autism spectrum disorder |
publisher |
Hindawi Limited |
series |
Autism Research and Treatment |
issn |
2090-1925 2090-1933 |
publishDate |
2017-01-01 |
description |
It has been suggested that the second (2D, index finger) to fourth (4D, ring finger) digit ratio, 2D : 4D, may be a biomarker for the risk of developing autism. The aim of the current study was to determine the usefulness of the 2D : 4D digit ratio as biomarker for autistic traits. N=401 healthy young volunteers participated in the study. For both hands, digit lengths were measured using digital Vernier calipers. In addition to demographics, the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) questionnaire was completed, comprised of five subscales, assessing “social insights and behavior,” “attention switching,” “communication,” “imagination,” and “attention to detail.” Overall, no significant correlations were observed between the AQ total score, its subscales, and the 2D : 4D digit ratio. For women, the left hand 2D : 4D digit ratio correlated significantly with the subscale score “communication” (r=-0.142; p=0.036). For men, a significant positive correlation was found between the left 2D : 4D digit ratio and the total AQ score (r=0.157; p=0.042) and AQ subscale “attention switching” (r=0.182; p=0.017). In conclusion, gender specific associations between the 2D : 4D digit ratio and specific autism traits were observed, which were stronger in men than in women. Future studies should be conducted in patients that are formally diagnosed with autism. |
url |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2017/1048302 |
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