Finger length clue to motor neuron disease

MND is a serious neurodegenerative disease that results in progressive paralysis and eventual death from respiratory failure. On average, a person survives two years after being diagnosed. The cause of the disease is still mainly unknown, although prenatal factors are thought to be important.

Genetic factors are known to contribute to MND. In both men and women, motor neurons are dependent on testosterone for survival. Men are more likely than women to develop MND and are also exposed to higher levels of testosterone before birth.

The scientists, led by Professor Ammar Al-Chalabi from the IoP, suspected that it was the high prenatal testosterone level rather than male sex itself that was a risk factor for the development of MND in later life, perhaps because this makes the adult motor neurons less sensitive to testosterone.

The researchers looked at the ratio of the lengths of a person's index finger to ring finger -- known as the 2D:4D ratio. This is calculated by dividing the length of the index finger of the right hand by the length of the ring finger.

A low ratio means the ring finger is relatively long compared with the index finger and is thought to be an indicator of high prenatal testosterone levels in men and women (and is probably the reason why on average men have longer ring fingers than index fingers, while women often do not).

The study involved 110 participants with useable results and used a digital camera to photograph hands, finger length was measured and ratios were calculated between fingers.

The 2D:4D ratio was consistently lower for people who had the ALS form of MND compared to those without.

Professor of Al-Chalabi said: 'This work suggests that even before birth, motor neurons can be affected in ways that make them more vulnerable in later life. Finger lengths seem to be linked to the balance of hormones in the womb, so what we see as a trend towards longer ring fingers is just a marker for the hormone balance during pregnancy. The same trend is seen in sporty people and men, which is why this can never show someone will get motor neuron disease, it is just a clue as to what might be making motor neurons more fragile.'

'Low index-to-ring finger length ratio in sporadic ALS supports prenatally defined motor neuronal vulnerability' is published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry.