ABSTRACT
The role of sex hormones in normal brain development, including hemispheric specialization, remains largely undetermined. Studies of subjects with Turner syndrome (TS) can provide unique information on this question because one distinguishing characteristic of TS females is that they are hypogonadal and therefore lack the capability to produce estrogen. Not surprisingly, given the potential for demonstrating a link between genetic, sex-linked characteristics and cognition, researchers have shown considerable interest in studying TS subjects. Nevertheless, it is still unknown whether the cognitive deficits seen in TS are due to functional differences induced by the absence of circulating hormones, to congenital differences, or to some combination of both these factors.
