Androgenic Activity in Autism
November 1997
in “
The American journal of psychiatry
”
TLDR Some autistic children may have higher levels of male hormones, which could be linked to aggression.
In a study of 12 prepubertal autistic children, four exhibited precocious secondary sexual characteristics, suggesting high androgenic activity. Plasma testosterone and adrenal androgen levels were measured in nine autistic inpatients and 62 matched controls. Three autistic subjects had abnormally high plasma testosterone levels, all of whom exhibited aggression. This study suggested a potential link between high androgenic activity and aggression in autism, particularly in pubertal individuals, and indicated that distinct clinical forms of autism based on aggressive behaviors might exist. Further research with larger samples was recommended.