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Cognitive abilities in androgen‐insensitive subjects: comparison with control males and females from the same kindred
Author(s) -
ImperatoMcGlnley Jullanne,
Plchardo Marino,
Gautier Teofilo,
Voyer Daniel,
Bryden M. Philip
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
clinical endocrinology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.055
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1365-2265
pISSN - 0300-0664
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2265.1991.tb00303.x
Subject(s) - androgen , wechsler adult intelligence scale , cognition , psychology , developmental psychology , audiology , endocrinology , medicine , hormone , psychiatry
Summary To determine the effect of androgen Insensitivity on cognitive abilities, subjects with the syndrome of complete androgen Insensitivity (Al) were compared to control males and females from the same kindred on the Spanish version of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS). All subjects had similar sociocultural backgrounds and only right‐handed subjects were used In the primary analysis. This design was chosen to diminish the effect of critical variables on test performance, thereby highlighting the effect of androgen unresponslveness on cognition.The results indicated that control males and females were superior to androgen Insensitive subjects on the Perceptual Organization factor, which Included five visuospatlal subtests. Separate analysis of these subtests revealed that males performed significantly better than females on Block Design, Picture Completion, and Object Assembly, and better than androgen Insensitive subjects on all five subtests. Females were superior to androgen Insensitive subjects on four subtests (Block Design, Picture Completion, Digit Symbol, and Picture Arrangement). Despite the small sample size, when female siblings were compared to their Al sisters, they were also superior on these four visuospatlal subtests.The difference between the Verbal Comprehension and Perceptual Organization factors was greatest In androgen‐insensitive subjects, while control males demonstrated the least difference.Females and Al subjects did not differ from one another on the Freedom from Distractlblllty factor nor on the subtests comprising it, but their performances were poorer than control males.None of the groups differed significantly on Full Scale IQ, Verbal IQ, the Verbal Comprehension factor, or any subtests Included In this category.These data Indicate that Al subjects differ from normal males and normal females on subtests relating to visuospatial ability, and suggest that androgens play a role In the development of spatial ability In humans.