Hormonal Influences on Autism Spectrum Conditions
Summary
Research into autism spectrum conditions (ASC) has increasingly highlighted the role of hormones in shaping neurodevelopment, behavioural trajectories and sex differences in prevalence. Prenatal exposure to steroid hormones, notably androgens and oestrogens, is implicated in early brain organisation, synaptogenesis and the emergence of traits associated with ASC. Altered activity of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis has also been observed, with variations in cortisol secretion linked to stress responsivity and social functioning. In childhood and adolescence, divergent trajectories of hormone production—particularly testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and cortisol—may interact with genetic and environmental factors to influence cognitive empathy, sensory processing and repetitive behaviours. Recent work has explored how timing of hormonal surges during critical windows, such as foetal development and puberty, corresponds to clinical severity and adaptive outcomes. A deeper understanding of these endocrine influences offers potential for stratified interventions, biomarker-driven monitoring and personalised support strategies. Globally, elucidating hormonal mechanisms in ASC promises to inform both early identification and tailored therapeutic approaches, ultimately enhancing quality of life for autistic individuals across the lifespan.
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Hormonal Influences on Autism Spectrum Conditions publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in hormonal influences on autism spectrum conditions across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Androgens: Steroid hormones, such as testosterone and DHEA, that drive male-typical development and influence neural differentiation.
Cortisol: A glucocorticoid produced by the adrenal glands; central to stress response and HPA axis regulation.
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA): An adrenal precursor steroid that can convert to androgens and oestrogens, implicated in neurodevelopmental processes.
Prenatal steroidogenic activity: The synthesis and circulation of steroid hormones in the foetus, affecting brain organisation during critical developmental windows.
Biomarker: A measurable indicator—here, hormone concentration in blood or saliva—used to detect or monitor a biological condition.
References
- The intersection and developmental trajectory of morning cortisol and testosterone in autistic and neurotypical youth. Molecular Autism (2025).
- Androgen levels in autism spectrum disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Endocrinology (2024).
- Analysis of salivary steroid hormones in boys with autism spectrum disorder. BMC Psychiatry (2023).
- Elevated fetal steroidogenic activity in autism. Molecular Psychiatry (2014).
- Foetal oestrogens and autism. Molecular Psychiatry (2019).
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