Testosterone
Siblings of autistic children may have distinct facial features
Siblings of autistic children, like those with the condition, tend to have faces that are more masculine than average.
![3D image of a child's face with coordinates to measure distances between features.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/FacialMorphology-844.jpg)
Siblings of autistic children may have distinct facial features
Siblings of autistic children, like those with the condition, tend to have faces that are more masculine than average.
The extreme male brain, explained
The ‘extreme male brain’ theory suggests that autism is an exaggeration of systematic sex differences in ways of thinking.
![Illustration of a strong man holding up a oversized brain](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/20190501-ExtremeMale-844.jpg)
The extreme male brain, explained
The ‘extreme male brain’ theory suggests that autism is an exaggeration of systematic sex differences in ways of thinking.
Predictive brain waves; spotting liars; pet peeve and more
Brain waves in infancy forecast autism, people with more autism features have trouble detecting lies, and veterinarians battle claims that vaccines cause autism in dogs.
Predictive brain waves; spotting liars; pet peeve and more
Brain waves in infancy forecast autism, people with more autism features have trouble detecting lies, and veterinarians battle claims that vaccines cause autism in dogs.
Some adults with autism traits reject conventional sexual labels
Adults who have characteristics of autism are about three times as likely as their peers to not identify as heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual.
![two men hiking and embracing with dog in backpack](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/20171205GayCouple844.jpg)
Some adults with autism traits reject conventional sexual labels
Adults who have characteristics of autism are about three times as likely as their peers to not identify as heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual.
Boyish looks; popular pseudoscience; older fathers and more
Masculinized features help define children with autism, online autism-parent forums spread pseudoscience, and the United States has more older fathers than ever.
Boyish looks; popular pseudoscience; older fathers and more
Masculinized features help define children with autism, online autism-parent forums spread pseudoscience, and the United States has more older fathers than ever.
Testosterone test; enhancement stance; retirement pan
A new study casts doubt on the ‘extreme male brain’ theory of autism, Americans are worried about gene editing, and a Pasteur Institute clash raises questions about scientists’ age.
Testosterone test; enhancement stance; retirement pan
A new study casts doubt on the ‘extreme male brain’ theory of autism, Americans are worried about gene editing, and a Pasteur Institute clash raises questions about scientists’ age.
Hormonal imbalance during pregnancy tied to autism risk
Having polycystic ovary syndrome raises the risk of having a child with autism by nearly 60 percent.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/20160126PCOStiedtoAutism-844.jpg)
Hormonal imbalance during pregnancy tied to autism risk
Having polycystic ovary syndrome raises the risk of having a child with autism by nearly 60 percent.
Hormone levels during pregnancy tied to autism risk
An analysis of prenatal screening test results fuels the theory that abnormal levels of steroid hormones in the womb wire the developing brain for autism.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/20151124Mid-pregHormoneLevels-844.jpg)
Hormone levels during pregnancy tied to autism risk
An analysis of prenatal screening test results fuels the theory that abnormal levels of steroid hormones in the womb wire the developing brain for autism.
Linking autism, sex, gender and prenatal hormones
Elevated levels of fetal sex steroid hormones such as testosterone may explain many of autism’s unique features.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/20151019VPLinkingAutismSexGenderAndPrenatalHormoens-844.jpg)
Linking autism, sex, gender and prenatal hormones
Elevated levels of fetal sex steroid hormones such as testosterone may explain many of autism’s unique features.
By chemically tagging genes, sex hormones shape brain
The environment’s influence on gene expression can vary by sex and affect autism’s expression.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/20151019VPEnvironmentalEpigenetics-844.jpg)
By chemically tagging genes, sex hormones shape brain
The environment’s influence on gene expression can vary by sex and affect autism’s expression.
Explore more from The Transmitter
Brain ‘chimeroids’ reveal person-to-person differences rooted in genetics
These fusions created from multiple donors’ organoids may help scale up comparative brain research.
![Research image of a chimeroid.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Chimeroid-Lede-1200-1024x692.webp)
Brain ‘chimeroids’ reveal person-to-person differences rooted in genetics
These fusions created from multiple donors’ organoids may help scale up comparative brain research.
Postdoc’s grad-school sleuthing raises questions about bee waggle-dance data
A journal has flagged two papers with expressions of concern, which note a co-author acknowledged errors.
![Picture of bees in flight.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Navigation-bee.1200-1024x692.webp)
Postdoc’s grad-school sleuthing raises questions about bee waggle-dance data
A journal has flagged two papers with expressions of concern, which note a co-author acknowledged errors.
Understanding fragile X syndrome
Just in time for Fragile X Awareness Month, The Transmitter rounds up notable coverage.
![A research image of X chromosomes with Fragile X syndrome](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1200_FragileX-1024x683.webp)
Understanding fragile X syndrome
Just in time for Fragile X Awareness Month, The Transmitter rounds up notable coverage.