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Hashemian SS, Golshani S, Firoozabadi K, Firoozabadi A, Fichter C, Dürsteler KM, Brühl AB, Khazaie H, Brand S. 2D:4D-ratios among individuals with amphetamine use disorder, antisocial personality disorder and with both amphetamine use disorder and antisocial personality disorder. J Psychiatr Res 2024; 170:81-89. [PMID: 38113678 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is sufficient evidence that the index-finger-to-ring-finger-ratio (2D:4D-ratio) is associated with testosterone and estrogen exposure during the fetal stage. More specifically, a lower 2D:4D-ratio (that is; a shorter index finger, compared to a longer ring finger) was associated with a prenatally higher testosterone and lower estrogen exposure during the first trimester of the fetal stage. At a behavioral level, among adults, a lower 2D:4D-ratio was associated with a higher competitive performance among both female and male professional athletes, and with personality traits such as higher scores for mental toughness, dark triad traits, and aggressive behavior, and internet use disorder. Here, we tested, if 2D:4D-ratios differed among three clinical samples of individuals with amphetamine use disorder (AUD), antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), or both AUD and ASPD (AUD + ASPD), and when compared to healthy controls. METHOD The sample consisted of 44 individuals (mean age: 32.95 years; 22.7% females) diagnosed either with AUD (n = 25), ASPD (n = 10) or both AUD + ASPD (n = 9), and of 36 healthy controls (mean age: 23.28; 25% females). After a thorough clinical assessment, participants provided the scans of their right-hand palm to measure the lengths of their index finger and ring finger. Further, participants with AUD, ASPD and both AUD + ASPD completed a series of self-rating questionnaires on Dark Triad traits, narcissism sensitivity, and intolerance of uncertainty. RESULTS Compared to healthy controls, participants with AUD, ASPD, or AUD + ASPD showed statistically significantly lower 2D:4D-ratios. Participants with AUD + ASPD showed statistically significantly lowest 2D:4D-ratios, compared to participants with AUD and compared to healthy controls. For the clinical sample, a lower 2D:4D-ratio was associated with higher Dark Triad traits. 2D:4D-ratios were unrelated to narcissism sensitivity or intolerance of uncertainty. Higher scores for Dark Triad traits were associated with higher scores for narcissism sensitivity and intolerance of uncertainty. CONCLUSIONS Compared to healthy controls, individuals with amphetamine use disorder and concomitant antisocial personality disorder (AUD + ASPD) appeared to have been exposed to particularly high prenatal testosterone and particularly low estrogen concentrations, which, at a behavioral level, might have led to a fast life history for immediate resource acquisition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Sepehr Hashemian
- Centre de Recherche Charles-Le Moyne, Longueuil, Québec, Canada; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Longueuil, Québec, Canada
| | | | - Kimia Firoozabadi
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, UCL Medical School, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Ali Firoozabadi
- Research Center for Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Department of Psychiatry, Hafez Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Christian Fichter
- Department of Psychology, Kalaidos Private University of Applied Sciences, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Kenneth M Dürsteler
- Psychiatric Clinics, Division of Substance Use Disorders, University of Basel, 4002, Basel, Switzerland; Center for Addictive Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, 8001, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Annette B Brühl
- Center for Affective, Stress and Sleep Disorders (ZASS), Psychiatric University Hospital Basel, 4002, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Habibolah Khazaie
- Sleep Disorders Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Serge Brand
- Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran; Center for Affective, Stress and Sleep Disorders (ZASS), Psychiatric University Hospital Basel, 4002, Basel, Switzerland; Sleep Disorders Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran; Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, Division of Sport Science and Psychosocial Health, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Center for Disaster Psychiatry and Disaster Psychology, Psychiatric University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Center of Competence for Military and Disaster Medicine of the Swiss Armed Forces, Switzerland.
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Lenz B, Gerhardt S, Boroumand-Jazi R, Eichler A, Buchholz VN, Fasching PA, Kornhuber J, Banaschewski T, Flor H, Guldner S, Prignitz M, Nees F. Sex-specific association between prenatal androgenization (second-to-fourth digit length ratio) and frontal brain volumes in adolescents. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2023; 273:1243-1254. [PMID: 36449103 PMCID: PMC10449726 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-022-01515-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Prenatal androgenization associates sex-dependently with behavior and mental health in adolescence and adulthood, including risk-taking, emotionality, substance use, and depression. However, still little is known on how it affects underlying neural correlates, like frontal brain control regions. Thus, we tested whether prenatal androgen load is sex-dependently related to frontal cortex volumes in a sex-balanced adolescent sample. In a cross-sectional magnetic resonance imaging study, we examined 61 adolescents (28 males, 33 females; aged 14 or 16 years) and analyzed associations of frontal brain region volumes with the second-to-fourth digit length ratio (2D:4D), an established marker for prenatal androgenization, using voxel-based morphometry in a region-of-interest approach. Lower 2D:4D (indicative of higher prenatal androgen load) correlated significantly with smaller volumes of the right anterior cingulate cortex (r-ACC; β = 0.45) in male adolescents and with larger volumes of the left inferior frontal gyrus orbital part (l-IFGorb; β = - 0.38) in female adolescents. The regression slopes of 2D:4D on the r-ACC also differed significantly between males and females. The study provides novel evidence that prenatal androgenization may influence the development of the frontal brain in a sex- and frontal brain region-specific manner. These effects might contribute to the well-known sex differences in risk-taking, emotionality, substance use, and depression. Future research is needed to elucidate the role of prenatal androgenization within the biopsychosocial model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernd Lenz
- Department of Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Sarah Gerhardt
- Department of Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Rafat Boroumand-Jazi
- Department of Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Anna Eichler
- Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Verena Nadine Buchholz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Peter A Fasching
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Johannes Kornhuber
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Tobias Banaschewski
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Herta Flor
- Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Stella Guldner
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Maren Prignitz
- Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Frauke Nees
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Schleswig Holstein, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
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Siegmann EM, Olm P, Lenz B, Mühle C, Oberstein TJ, Maler JM, Kornhuber J. Digit Ratio (2D:4D) Is Not Associated with Alzheimer's Disease in the Elderly. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1229. [PMID: 37759830 PMCID: PMC10526128 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13091229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is influenced by sex hormones-estrogens and androgens in particular. However, the impact of prenatal sex hormone exposure is less clear; very few investigations have examined the relationship between the second-to-fourth digit length ratio (2D:4D), a putative proxy for the ratio of prenatal estrogens to androgens, and AD, with inconsistent results among the few that have. Therefore, we aimed to investigate this relationship using methodologically robust metrics. In a 2 (sex) × 4 (group) MANOVA incorporating 108 participants (30 AD patients, 19 patients with tauopathy but no amyloidopathy, 31 clinical and 28 healthy age- and education-matched controls), the effects of sex and group on the dependent variables right and left 2D:4D were examined. We also explored the association between 2D:4D and the severity of AD symptoms assessed via neuropsychological examination. We did not find any significant differences in the right- and left-hand 2D:4D between patients with AD and the other groups; no significant associations between 2D:4D and neuropsychological task performances were found in the dementia groups. The 2D:4D of healthy women was significantly lower than that of depressed women without AD, i.e., clinical controls, but not significantly different from depressed female patients with AD. This investigation does not support the role of 2D:4D in the development or severity of AD in general, but suggests a potential role of 2D:4D for depression in women. Future studies are warranted to clarify whether 2D:4D can distinguish between early- and late-onset depression in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva-Maria Siegmann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Pauline Olm
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Bernd Lenz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68159 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Christiane Mühle
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Timo Jan Oberstein
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Juan Manuel Maler
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Johannes Kornhuber
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
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Buchholz VN, Mühle C, Kornhuber J, Lenz B. Markers of Prenatal Androgen Exposure Correlate With Online Sexual Compulsivity and Erectile Function in Young Men. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:517411. [PMID: 33889090 PMCID: PMC8055940 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.517411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pornography addiction and sexual dysfunction are increasingly prevalent in young men. Previous studies suggest that prenatal androgen exposure plays a role in addiction and sexual functionality. Here, we tested whether lower second-to-fourth finger length ratio (2D:4D) and later age at spermarche, both putative indicators of higher androgen levels in utero, correlate with online sexual compulsivity (OSC scale of ISST), erectile function (IIEF-5), and ejaculatory control (PEPA) in 4,370 young men (age IQR: 25-26 years) of the Cohort Study on Substance Use Risk Factors. Statistical analyses revealed that lower 2D:4D correlated with higher scores on the OSC scale. Moreover, higher age at spermarche correlated with higher OSC scores and decreased erectile function. Interestingly, OSC severity, but not the frequency of pornography use, correlated negatively with erectile function and ejaculatory control. This is the first study to associate two independent proxies of prenatal testosterone level with OSC. These findings provide novel insight into intrauterine predisposition of sexual behavior and related sexual function in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verena N. Buchholz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christiane Mühle
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | | | - Johannes Kornhuber
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Bernd Lenz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
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Müller CP, Mühle C, Kornhuber J, Lenz B. Sex‐Dependent Alcohol Instrumentalization Goals in Non‐Addicted Alcohol Consumers versus Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder: Longitudinal Change and Outcome Prediction. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2021; 45:577-586. [DOI: 10.1111/acer.14550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Christian P. Müller
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Friedrich‐Alexander University Erlangen‐Nürnberg (FAU) Germany
| | - Christiane Mühle
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Friedrich‐Alexander University Erlangen‐Nürnberg (FAU) Germany
| | - Johannes Kornhuber
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Friedrich‐Alexander University Erlangen‐Nürnberg (FAU) Germany
| | - Bernd Lenz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Friedrich‐Alexander University Erlangen‐Nürnberg (FAU) Germany
- Department of Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH) Medical Faculty Mannheim Heidelberg University Germany
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Siegmann EM, Müller T, Dziadeck I, Mühle C, Lenz B, Kornhuber J. Digit ratio (2D:4D) and transgender identity: new original data and a meta-analysis. Sci Rep 2020; 10:19326. [PMID: 33168880 PMCID: PMC7653965 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-72486-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Previously reported associations between second-to-fourth digit length ratio (2D:4D), a proxy for prenatal androgen load, and transgender identity have been inconsistent. The objectives of the present study were to provide additional original data and an updated meta-analysis concerning this association. In a study of 464 participants, we compared the 2D:4D of transgender individuals with age- and sex-matched controls. Patients were recruited at a specialized psychiatrist's medical office, whereas controls were hired via flyers, advertisements, and as convenience sample. A random-effects meta-analysis of the literature (17 samples, n = 3674) also quantifies the overall magnitude of the difference in 2D:4D between transgender individuals and controls. In our study providing new original data, we found a significantly higher (i.e. feminized) left-hand 2D:4D in the male-to-female transgender (MtF) identity [mean age: 32.3 (18; 61)] than in the male control group [mean age: 34.5 (18; 65)] with a Cohen's d = 0.271. Concordantly, the meta-analytic results suggest a significant difference in 2D:4D among MtF individuals compared to male controls [g = 0.153; 95% CI (0.063; 0.243)], which was even more pronounced when individuals had been diagnosed by a clinician instead of self-identified as transgender [g = 0.193; 95% CI (0.086; 0.300)]. In both studies, no significant results were revealed for female-to-male transgender individuals [mean age: 26.1 (18; 53)] versus female controls [mean age: 27.2 (18; 55)]. This original investigation and the updated meta-analysis clarify the association between transgender identity and 2D:4D indicating the influence of prenatal androgen on the development of gender identity in subjects born as males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva-Maria Siegmann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Tobias Müller
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- Psychiatric Practice, Treibberg 5, 90403, Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Isabelle Dziadeck
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christiane Mühle
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Bernd Lenz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Johannes Kornhuber
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
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Buchholz VN, Mühle C, Kornhuber J, Lenz B. Lower Digit Ratio (2D:4D) Indicative of Excess Prenatal Androgen Is Associated With Increased Sociability and Greater Social Capital. Front Behav Neurosci 2019; 13:246. [PMID: 31866841 PMCID: PMC6906175 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Positive social interactions are crucial for human well-being. Elevated prenatal exposure to testosterone as indicated by a low second-to-fourth finger length ratio (2D:4D) relates to more aggressive/hostile behavior in men of low 2D:4D, especially in challenging situations. How much people enjoy interacting with others is determined by the personality trait sociability. Given its role in approach and avoidance behavior, sociability might also be influenced by prenatal sex hormones, but studies are inconclusive so far. Here, we investigated the association between 2D:4D and the personality trait sociability complemented by personal social capital and personal social network size, in a population-based cohort of 4998 men. Lower 2D:4D correlated significantly with higher trait sociability, bigger personal social capital, and larger personal social network size. These effects were consistent across both hands separately and their mean value. Furthermore, both factors of sociability (1) liking party and company of friends and (2) isolation intolerance, correlated significantly with the prenatal testosterone marker. The exploratory analysis revealed no link between 2D:4D and responses to the personality trait aggression items or items of anti-social-personality disorder. Our data suggest that prenatal androgen exposure organizes the brain with lasting effects on social behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verena N Buchholz
- Addiction Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital CHUV, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Addiction Switzerland, Lausanne, Switzerland; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada; University of the West of England, Frenchay Campus, Bristol, United Kingdom . La Source, School of Nursing Sciences, HES-SO University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Western Switzerland, Lausanne, Switzerland . Institut für Epidemiologie, Biostatistik und Prävention, Hirschengraben, Zurich, Switzerland . Addiction Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital CHUV, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland . Addiction Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital CHUV, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christiane Mühle
- Addiction Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital CHUV, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Addiction Switzerland, Lausanne, Switzerland; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada; University of the West of England, Frenchay Campus, Bristol, United Kingdom . La Source, School of Nursing Sciences, HES-SO University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Western Switzerland, Lausanne, Switzerland . Institut für Epidemiologie, Biostatistik und Prävention, Hirschengraben, Zurich, Switzerland . Addiction Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital CHUV, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland . Addiction Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital CHUV, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Johannes Kornhuber
- Addiction Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital CHUV, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Addiction Switzerland, Lausanne, Switzerland; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada; University of the West of England, Frenchay Campus, Bristol, United Kingdom . La Source, School of Nursing Sciences, HES-SO University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Western Switzerland, Lausanne, Switzerland . Institut für Epidemiologie, Biostatistik und Prävention, Hirschengraben, Zurich, Switzerland . Addiction Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital CHUV, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland . Addiction Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital CHUV, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Bernd Lenz
- Addiction Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital CHUV, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Addiction Switzerland, Lausanne, Switzerland; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada; University of the West of England, Frenchay Campus, Bristol, United Kingdom . La Source, School of Nursing Sciences, HES-SO University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Western Switzerland, Lausanne, Switzerland . Institut für Epidemiologie, Biostatistik und Prävention, Hirschengraben, Zurich, Switzerland . Addiction Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital CHUV, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland . Addiction Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital CHUV, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
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Lenz B, Köllner MG, Mühle C, Weinland C, Kornhuber J. Basic Human Body Dimensions Relate to Alcohol Dependence and Predict Hospital Readmission. J Clin Med 2019; 8:E2076. [PMID: 31783685 PMCID: PMC6947550 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8122076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Revised: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Alcohol dependence is a severe mental illness and there is a need for more effective preventive and therapeutic strategies. Translational research suggests that intrauterine sex hormone exposure modulates the risk and course of alcohol dependence during adulthood. During development, sex hormones permanently shape sexually dimorphic body dimensions. Thus, these dimensions may provide insight into sex hormone organization. Here, we compared body measurements (absolute, relative to, and residualized on height) between 200 alcohol-dependent in-patients and 240 age-matched healthy control subjects and investigated how these measurements associate with the patients' prospective 12- and 24-month outcome. The results show that alcohol dependence is related to lower absolute, relative, and residualized body measurements for height and weight, head circumference, bitragion head arc, lip-chin distance, hip, thigh, and calf circumference, and foot length and breadth. In male alcohol-dependent in-patients, higher risk, shorter latency, and more alcohol-related readmissions were predicted by higher absolute, relative, and residualized thigh and calf circumferences. The second-to-fourth finger length ratio, a putative proxy for prenatal sex hormone organization, was not convincingly correlated with the body dimensions, suggesting that the results represent pubertal (or later) effects. The study's findings have implications for further research. The body measurements' high accessibility may facilitate the future transition into clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernd Lenz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany; (C.M.); (C.W.); (J.K.)
| | - Martin G. Köllner
- Human Motivation and Affective Neuroscience Lab, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Nägelsbachstraße 49 b, D-91052 Erlangen, Germany;
| | - Christiane Mühle
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany; (C.M.); (C.W.); (J.K.)
| | - Christian Weinland
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany; (C.M.); (C.W.); (J.K.)
| | - Johannes Kornhuber
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany; (C.M.); (C.W.); (J.K.)
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