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. 2011 Jun 14;9(6):e1001081. doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1001081

Table 4. Evidence for the effect of sex steroids in autism (see Text S1 for a fuller discussion).

Evidence Key References
From typically developing children
Eye contact is inversely related to fT [45]
Quality of social relationships are inversely related to fT [47]
Vocabulary size is inversely related to fT [46]
Empathy is inversely related to fT [48],[49]
Autistic traits are positively associated with fT [52],[53]
Restricted interests are positively associated with fT [47]
Systemizing is positively associated with fT [18]
Rightward asymmetry in the isthmus of the corpus callosum is positively associated with fT [51]
From people with ASC
10 genes involved in sex steroid synthesis, transport, and/or metabolism associated with AS or AQ or empathy: HSD11B1, LHCGR, CYP17A1, CYP19A1, SCP2, CYP11B1, ESR1, ESR2, HSD17B4, HSD17B2 [169]
Timing of puberty: Boys with ASC enter puberty earlier. Girls with ASC enter puberty later [170]ā€“[172]
Testosterone related medical conditions in women with ASC and their mothers (e.g., PCOS, breast and ovarian cancers, acne) [172]
Testosterone related characteristics in women with ASC and their mothers [172],[173]
Lower 2Dāˆ¶4D ratio in ASC, and parents [174]ā€“[176]
SRD5A1 and AR genes associated with ASC [177],[178]
Decreased expression of RORA gene and aromatase in post-mortem frontal and cerebellar tissue [179],[180]
Females with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) have elevated AQ [181]
Testosterone levels are elevated in ASC [182]
Androstenedione levels are elevated in ASC [183]