Low index-to-ring finger length ratio in sporadic ALS supports prenatally defined motor neuronal vulnerability.

Journal article

BACKGROUND: The aetiology of apparently sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is unknown, but prenatal factors are known to influence disease development. In both men and women, motor neurons require testosterone for survival and axonal regeneration after injury, and androgen insensitivity leads to a form of motor neuron degeneration in men. Reduction in the ratio of index to ring finger length (2D:4D ratio) is considered a surrogate marker for high prenatal testosterone levels in both...

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Authors: Vivekananda, U; Manjalay, Z; Ganesalingam, J; Simms, J; Shaw, C

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry
• Volume: 82
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 635-637
• Publication date: 2011-06-01
• DOI: 10.1136/jnnp.2010.237412
• EISSN: 1468-330X
• ISSN: 0022-3050
• Language: English
• Keywords: Testosterone; Pregnancy; Case-Control Studies; Motor Neurons; ROC Curve; Fingers; Risk Factors; Female; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Male; Biological Markers; Nerve Degeneration; Humans; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis