Cited by 1,145Autism Spectrum Disorder ResearchGenetics and Neurodevelopmental DisordersSexual Differentiation and Disorders

Sex differences in the brain: implications for explaining autism

Baron-Cohen, Simon, Knickmeyer, Rebecca C., Belmonte, Matthew K.·2005·Science

Abstract

Empathizing is the capacity to predict and to respond to the behavior of agents (usually people) by inferring their mental states and responding to these with an appropriate emotion. Systemizing is the capacity to predict and to respond to the behavior of nonagentive deterministic systems by analyzing input-operation-output relations and inferring the rules that govern such systems. At a population level, females are stronger empathizers and males are stronger systemizers. The “extreme male brain” theory posits that autism represents an extreme of the male pattern (impaired empathizing and enhanced systemizing). Here we suggest that specific aspects of autistic neuroanatomy may also be extremes of typical male neuroanatomy.

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Crossref · 10.1126/science.1115455

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  • Elevated prenatal androgens have been strongly associated with ASD risk for more than a decade.

    “For example, elevated prenatal androgens have been strongly associated with ASD risk for more than a decade (26–35) leading some to hypothesize that EDCs that alter androgen action may be contributory.”

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Authors
Baron-Cohen, S., Knickmeyer, R. C., & Belmonte, M. K.
Affiliations
  • Autism Research Centre, Cambridge University, Department of Psychiatry, Douglas House, 18b Trumpington Road, Cambridge CB2 2AH, UK.
  • University of Cambridge (GB)
Venue
Science
Published
2005-11-04
Volume
310
Issue
5749
Pages
819-823
ISSN
  • 0036-8075 (ISSN-L)
  • 1095-9203
OpenAlex
W2141154555
Cited by
1,145
References
3
Citations by year
2026: 20 · 2025: 42 · 2024: 50 · 2023: 47 · 2022: 51 · 2021: 52 · 2020: 45 · 2019: 71 · 2018: 63 · 2017: 67 · 2016: 67 · 2015: 80 · 2014: 69 · 2013: 63 · 2012: 54
FWCI
3.33
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Science (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Nottingham Trent University's Institutional Repository (Nottingham Trent Repository) (acceptedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetics and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Sexual Differentiation and Disorders
Keywords
autism spectrum disorder, sex differences, empathizing-systemizing theory, extreme male brain theory, empathizing, systemizing, brain structure, neuroanatomy, gender differences in autism
MeSH terms
Androgens, Animals, Autistic Disorder, Brain, Empathy, Estradiol, Female, Humans, Male, Models, Psychological, Receptors, Androgen, Sex Characteristics, Asperger Syndrome

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