Perceptual abnormalities in patients with chromatin negative gonadal dysgenesis and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism

The performance of 16 adult patients with chromatin negative gonadal dysgenesis was compared with that of normal men and women, and with patients with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism on a series of perceptual tasks chosen to assess speed and spatial abilities. The tasks included reaction time, embedded figures, rod and frame, size estimation, category width, broken figures, hidden figures, and incidental noticing. Male and female patients with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and patients with 45,X showed significantly higher rod and frame scores than either normal males or females. Patients with 45,X also revealed higher set indexes on the reaction time test, narrower categories, and more difficulty with visual organization. Comparison with the hypogonadotropic hypogonadal patients suggested that perceptual speed seemed influenced more by genetic factors whereas visual spatial ability and the use of perceptual context appeared more related to hormonal factors.