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Is digit ratio (2D:4D) a reliable pointer to speech laterality?

John M Hudson1, Jessica C Hodgson1

  • 1School of Psychology, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, United Kingdom.

Behavioural Brain Research
|January 10, 2016
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The second to fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) does not predict speech laterality in adults. This study found no link between prenatal hormone exposure markers and how the brain processes speech.

Keywords:
2D:4DCallosal theoryDigit ratioFunctional Transcranial DopplerGBG theoryLanguage lateralisationPrenatal testosterone

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Human Biology
  • Psychology

Background:

  • The 2D:4D ratio, a measure of relative finger lengths, is a sexually dimorphic trait linked to prenatal hormone exposure.
  • Lower 2D:4D ratios are associated with higher prenatal testosterone (pT) and lower estrogen, while higher ratios suggest the opposite.
  • Prenatal hormone exposure is hypothesized to influence brain lateralization, particularly cognitive abilities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between prenatal hormone exposure, as indicated by the 2D:4D ratio, and speech laterality.
  • To determine if pT influences speech representation using Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography and digit ratio analysis.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography to assess speech laterality.
  • Measured the 2D:4D ratio in 34 right-handed and 14 left-handed adult participants.
  • Correlated digit ratio measurements with speech representation patterns.

Main Results:

  • Speech representation, or speech laterality, was found to be unrelated to the 2D:4D ratio.
  • The findings indicate no significant influence of purported prenatal testosterone exposure on speech lateralization.
  • No correlation was observed between digit characteristics and speech processing lateralization.

Conclusions:

  • The 2D:4D ratio does not appear to be a reliable proxy for prenatal hormone influence on speech lateralization.
  • Results challenge existing androgen theories of lateralization concerning speech representation.
  • Further research is needed to fully understand the complex interplay of hormones and brain lateralization.