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An Exploratory Analysis on the 2D:4D Digit Ratio and Its Relationship with Social Responsiveness in Adults with

Sara Gámez1, Jesus Cobo1,2,3, Meritxell Fernández-Lafitte1

  • 1Mental Health Department, Corporació Sanitària Parc Taulí-Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona-CIBERSAM, 08202 Sabadell, Spain.

Journal of Clinical Medicine
|February 11, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) individuals show distinct finger lengths compared to controls. The 2D:4D ratio, an indicator of prenatal hormone exposure, correlated with repetitive behaviors in males with PWS.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroendocrinology
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a genetic disorder affecting the 15q11-13 region, with limited research on epigenetic factors.
  • Prenatal hormone exposure, specifically maternal testosterone-to-estradiol ratio (MaTtEr), influences social brain development.
  • The 2D:4D digit ratio is a proposed indirect measure of MaTtEr, studied in conditions like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between social performance and MaTtEr in PWS using the 2D:4D digit ratio.
  • To compare finger lengths and 2D:4D ratios between individuals with PWS and a control group.
  • To explore correlations between the 2D:4D ratio and social behaviors in PWS.

Main Methods:

  • Participants included individuals with PWS and a control group.
  • The Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) was used to measure social performance.
  • The 2D:4D digit ratio was calculated from finger lengths.

Main Results:

  • PWS individuals, as a group, exhibited shorter index and ring fingers but no significant difference in 2D:4D ratios compared to controls.
  • A positive correlation was found between the 2D:4D ratio and the Restricted Interests and Repetitive Behavior Subscale in males with PWS.
  • In PWS individuals treated with growth hormone (PWS-GH), the 2D:4D ratio was significantly higher in the right hand compared to controls.

Conclusions:

  • The 2D:4D ratio shows a specific correlation with repetitive behaviors in males with PWS.
  • Growth hormone treatment may influence digit ratio in individuals with PWS.
  • Further research is needed to understand the role of prenatal hormones in PWS social development.

Keywords:
D2:D4Prader–Willi syndromeepigeneticestradiolfunctionfunctionalityprenatalsocial functioningsocial responsivenesstestosterone

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