OBJECTIVE: Digit ratios may be accepted as an indicator of level of prenatal androgen exposure during the fetal developmental period. Female-typical digit ratios have been suggested to be associated with better mentalizing and empathic abilities in general population. Recently, a number of studies have investigated the ratio of hand's second and fourth digit fingers (2D:4D) in schizophrenia. The aim of this study was to investigate the hypothesis that positive symptoms are related to female-biased 2D:4D and relatively less impaired social cognition in schizophrenia, negative dimension is related to male-biased 2D:4D ratio and more pronounced deficits in social cognition. METHOD: The study was carried out in 48 patients with schizophrenia and 48 healthy controls. Patients were evaluated by Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). A digital caliper was used to measure 2D:4D finger lengths and social cognitive abilities were assessed using the Empathy Quotient (EQ) test and Reading Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET). RESULTS: Patients with schizophrenia had increased left 2D:4D finger lengths and showed poor theory of mind (ToM) and empathic abilities compared to healthy controls (p < 0.05). It was found that negative symptoms but not male-biased 2D:4D ratio were significantly associated with impaired RMET performance (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The present study indicates that negative dimension is negatively related to the severity of deficits in social cognition in schizophrenia. There was no evidence for a significant effect of sexual dimorphism as measured by digit ratio on social cognition and symptoms in schizophrenia.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2025 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.