Commentary: Are we expecting too much from the extreme male brain theory of autism? A reflection on Kung et al. (2016)

Abstract

Kung et al. (2016) contribute further evidence demonstrating no clear link between prenatal androgen exposure and the autism phenotype. Do these findings represent a nail in the coffin for the extreme male brain (EMB) theory of autism, or are we simply asking too much of the hypothesis? This commentary highlights the inconsistent findings that have appeared to undermine the EMB theory, but presents an argument that the data may not present an adequate test of the hypothesis. A research agenda is then outlined - the investigation of simple behavioural traits rather than the full combination of ASD behaviours - which may provide greater clarity as to how prenatal androgen exposure relates to developmental psychopathology.

Keywords: Autism spectrum disorders; androgens; language; research design; testosterone.