EARLY HORMONES AND SEX-DIFFERENCES IN COGNITIVE-ABILITIES

Data from a variety of nonhuman species indicate that early hormones h ave permanent effects on the sexual differentiation of the brain and b ehavior, including learning abilities. Hormones also affect the sexual differentiation of human cognitive abilities. Evidence from a variety of human clinical conditions and normal samples suggests that moderat e to high levels of androgens in the prenatal and early postnatal peri ods facilitate the development of spatial ability. There is not enough information to determine whether early hormones influence other aspec ts of cognition which show sex differences, such as verbal fluency, pe rceptual speed, and memory. Current research is directed to understand ing the behavioral and neural mechanisms underlying hormonal influence s on cognition.