Autism linked to ‘male hormones’

http://www.bbc.com/news/health-27662080

Exposure to high levels of “male” hormones in the womb increases the chance of a baby boy developing autism, according to researchers.

The University of Cambridge researchers say their findings from more than 300 boys help unravel the causes of autism – a condition that affects both sexes but is far more common in males.

But they say it does not mean a prenatal test for autism is near.

Nor will it necessarily be possible to stop autism by blocking the hormones.

The hormones in question – testosterone and three other steroid hormones – were important for foetal development, which meant it could be too risky to block them, they told the journal Molecular Psychiatry.

Autism…