Scientists identify mechanism that may explain why males are more at risk than females for neurodevelopmental disorders

(University of Maryland School of Medicine) Researchers have recently begun to realize that biological sex plays a key role in disease risk. Sex plays a role in hypertension, diabetes, arthritis -- and in many neurological and psychiatric disorders. Depression and anxiety affect females more, while neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorders, early onset schizophrenia, and attention deficit hyperactivity, affect more males. Males are also more sensitive to prenatal insults, such as gestational stress, maternal infection and drug exposure.
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: news