Sex Differences in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Diagnostic, Neurobiological, and Behavioral Features

Overview

Journal Front Psychiatry

Specialty Psychiatry

Date 2022 May 31

PMID 35633791

Authors

Antonio Napolitano

Sara Schiavi

Piergiorgio La Rosa

Maria Camilla Rossi-Espagnet

Sara Petrillo

Francesca Bottino

Emanuela Tagliente

Daniela Longo

Elisabetta Lupi

Laura Casula

Giovanni Valeri

Fiorella Piemonte

Viviana Trezza

Stefano Vicari

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder with a worldwide prevalence of about 1%, characterized by impairments in social interaction, communication, repetitive patterns of behaviors, and can be associated with hyper- or hypo-reactivity of sensory stimulation and cognitive disability. ASD comorbid features include internalizing and externalizing symptoms such as anxiety, depression, hyperactivity, and attention problems. The precise etiology of ASD is still unknown and it is undoubted that the disorder is linked to some extent to both genetic and environmental factors. It is also well-documented and known that one of the most striking and consistent finding in ASD is the higher prevalence in males compared to females, with around 70% of ASD cases described being males. The present review looked into the most significant studies that attempted to investigate differences in ASD males and females thus trying to shade some light on the peculiar characteristics of this prevalence in terms of diagnosis, imaging, major autistic-like behavior and sex-dependent uniqueness. The study also discussed sex differences found in animal models of ASD, to provide a possible explanation of the neurological mechanisms underpinning the different presentation of autistic symptoms in males and females.

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