DES exposure linked to reduced hemispheric laterality and lowered spatial ability in males

Hormones and behavior, Volume 26, Issue 1, Pages 62–75, March 1992

Cognitive-Dissonance image
This 1992 study provides direct evidence of a relationship between brain laterality, spatial cognitive ability, and prenatal exposure to hormones in human males. Cognitive Dissonance image by Jon Haynes Photography.

1992 Study Abstract

Ten males exposed to Diethylstilbestrol (DES), a nonsteroidal synthetic estrogen, during gestation were compared to their matched, unexposed brothers on measures of brain hemispheric specialization for processing nonlinguistic spatial information and cognitive abilities.

DES exposure was associated with reduced hemispheric laterality and lowered spatial ability.

These data provide direct evidence of a relationship between brain laterality, spatial cognitive ability, and prenatal exposure to hormones in human males. Further, the implications of these findings for understanding sexual differentiation of the human brain are discussed.

Sources
  • Effects of prenatal exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) on hemispheric laterality and spatial ability in human males, Reinisch JM1, Sanders SA., Horm Behav. NCBI PMID: 1563729, 1992 Mar;26(1):62-75. Full study doi:10.1016/0018-506X(92)90032-Q.
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