Extreme Male Brain Theory

HW: Meta-Analysis- Investigating the genetic and prognostic Sex Differences in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Introduction: While Autism Spectrum disorder (ASD) has been researched extensively, the role of gender in this disease is still poorly understood. With a 4:1 gender distribution in the diagnosis of ASD, many research studies have attempted to explain this difference (Fombonne,2009). Current research has theorized about various different etiologies for this gender discrepancy, such as a female protective effect (Jacquemont et al., 2014). The female protective effect suggests that females must demonstrate higher levels of genetic risk factors in order to reach clinically impaired functional status and therefore be diagnosed (Chawarska,

For every girl diagnosed with autism there is four boys. Autism is a perplexing disorder that researchers are still utilizing studies to understand better when it comes to gender differences. A new study published in Molecular Autism, UC Davis MIND Institute researchers looked at the corpus callosum in hopes of finding a difference in boys versus girls. Prior research had show that there would be differences. The study found that the organization of fibers within the

Symptoms typically are apparent before children turn 3 years old. (7). When individuals are born as an identical twin or have first degree relatives who have autism, they are automatically at a higher risk for developing it themselves. Other risk factors include immune dysregulation, altered short chain fatty acids, genetic mutations involving the metabolism of vitamin D, infections, teratogens, or antibodies maternally. For every 68 boys who are born, 1 will likely have autism, as boys are about five times more likely to present with autism than girls are. (3). When the brains of patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder are studied and compared with those who do not have the disorder, there are obvious differences. In the Autism Spectrum Disorder brain, there are alterations to the striatal circuits, a dysfunction in canonical neural circuits, and an abnormal basal ganglion connectivity. These striatal dysfunctions of the brain are evidence as to why abnormal behaviors occur in autistic patients (repetitive grooming, stereotypic motor routines, and deficits in social interaction and decision-making). There may even be evidence that links genetics to these specific neural circuits. (8). When MRI’s are taken on young autistic patients, the hyperplasia of their cerebral cortex can often be seen. Because the frontal and temporal lobes are important for social functioning and language development, these anatomical anomalies are likely to underlie the pathophysiology of autism.

To understand this, we must first understand what the recognized perception of autism is. For most of the public and many within the research community, autism is seen as a very masculine disease. Not only do males make up most of the population diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, but autism is also seen as an exaggeration of the stereotypical male brain. As a matter of fact, Simon Baron-Cohen, the scientist who discovered the “extreme male brain” (EMB) theory of autism, found that females on the autism spectrum displayed more masculinized personality traits. Baron-Cohen acknowledged that there was a slight difference in the severity of

The differences between males and females with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) is a topic that has recently become more prevalent. In order to better diagnose, treat, and educate females with ASDs it is vital to understand the differences between the sexes. The dissimilarities between females and males with ASDs range from subtle variances to more obvious. According to Fornbonne (1999,2001), “boys are diagnosed with autism at a 4:1 ratio compared to girls.” Therefore, it is easy to understand why there is much more known about the diagnoses, treatment, and education that a male with autism receives and benefits from. Females with ASDs tend to fly under the radar since they exhibit different symptoms than males. They tend to be underdiagnosed and take longer to receive a diagnoses due to their lack of outward communication and behavior deficits. Parents and professionals have begun to question the 4:1 ratio for boys to girls with autism and wonder if the research studies that include more boys than girls and only take the symptoms of boys with ASDs into consideration may be hindering the ability to identify and treat girls with ASDs earlier. This research paper will explore what is currently known about females with autism, the differences between males and females with autism, the treatment and interventions that girls with autism benefit from,

With the rate of autism being diagnosed on the rise, the amount of research and interest in the disorder has risen as well. Some research suggests that over the past two decades the occurrence of autism has increased from approximately 2-5 per 10,000 births to about 1-5 per 1,000 births (Acosta & Pearl, 2004; Fatemi et al., 2012). Still others report that the occurrence is as high as 1 in 150 kids (Amaral, Schumann, & Nordhal, 2008). Even though the spectrum of autistic disorders has been studied since 1943, there have still not been any consistent nor persuasive causes or markers, either biological or clinical, identified with autism and its range of disorders (Santangelo & Tsatsanis, 2005). In fact, even with all of the advancements in genetic research technology and the increasing interest in autism, researchers can still only account for approximately 5-15% of autistic cases (Rogers et al., 2013).

Autism happens because of brain development and the regions that are thought to be involved are the parietal cortex and the hippocampus. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the parietal and hippocampus was taken for between the two regions and within the two regions for a control group and an autistic group of people. With the data collected a two sample t-test were performed on the different groups of people and the regions of the brain.

The history of autism is not that old, but it is affecting many children life. According to the research done by Goin-Kochel, R. , Abbacchi, A. , Constantino, J. , & Consortium, A. (2007) did interesting research on different phenotypes of autism. They did the study using two distinct samples of male and female. The result from the sample proves that there is four times high prevalence of ASD on male than in female.

Autism continues to spark countless discussions and debates throughout the medical field. Some doctors believe that autism is a neurological disorder that can and should be treated, as others continue to think it is simply a difference in human adaption that needs to be nurtured and acknowledged. Regardless of what autism may be, it continues to dramatically rise in the number of children and families affected. With autism being based on such a broad spectrum, the affects and causes leaves the medical world searching for answers in unending stacks of research.

Although there are uniting factors, particularly in the fields of social and behavioral development, there is an even greater diversity in functionality of people with autism. As a result of this, a nonverbal adult and an award-winning scientist may both have received a diagnosis on the autism spectrum (Grandin, 2011, p. 4).

Unlike Asperger believed, it is not true that only males have the disorder. Yet, most of Asperger’s observations on autism are still relevant to the way autism is perceived today (Draaisma, 2009).

In relation to autism, the ‘Extreme Male Brain’ (EMB) theory extends this notion by proposing that people with ASD are characterized by an extreme form of the typical male E-S cognitive profile and ‘hyper-masculinization’ of the brain (Baron-Cohen, 2002; Baron-Cohen et al.,

Women are stereotyped to not have autism. However, there was very few studies in the past that were done on girls. Most scientist were only using

There are many theories and approaches to gender in terms of biology and science in general, which aim to suggest or prove that gender is natural and inherent. The first of these is the effect of hormones, more specifically testosterone, which causes male behaviour patterns such as aggression, competitiveness and a higher sexual drive. Testosterone also helps in the development of the brain. The brain is divided into two hemispheres, a left and a right. The left side of the brain is specialised in language skills whereas the right hand side of the brain is used for more non-verbal such as spatial awareness skills. Shaywitz et al (1995) used MRI scans to examine the brain whilst males and females carried out language tasks of varying difficulties. It was found that females used both hemispheres of the brain to complete the task whereas males only used the

Autism is a bio-neurological developmental disability. In most cases of autism it is found before three years of age. Autism affects the development of the brain, not so much that the big thing of mush doesn’t grow but people, and kids who have autism struggle with social interactions the most along with many other things, but autism spectrum disorder is found in 1 and 68 children, boys are a lot more likely to get autism it was stated that the boys are 4x more likely to get it