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A comparative study of cognitive traits in human sex chromosome aneuploids and sterile and fertile euploids

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Abstract

Three groups of male and female subjects (aneuploid, sterile, and fertile) were administered tests of field dependence (RFT, EFT, BDT, ABCT), spatial ability (S1, VZ1, IBT), right-left discrimination, and verbal ability. Statistical analyses indicated that (1) aneuploid males, with karyotype 47,XXY, do not disclose significant differences in field dependence or spatial abilities from karyotypically normal males or females, (2) aneuploid Turner and Turner-like females do exhibit a significantly higher field dependence and lower spatial orientation and visualization ability than other females, and (3) psychological distress caused by sterility does not seem to influence the cognitive pattern. The importance of socializing environment and hormonal factors in determining the observed differences is briefly discussed in the light of these results, and it is concluded that sex chromosome heterochromatin must play a role in the development of specific cognitive traits.

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Serra, A., Pizzamiglio, L., Boari, A. et al. A comparative study of cognitive traits in human sex chromosome aneuploids and sterile and fertile euploids. Behav Genet 8, 143–154 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01066871

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01066871

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