Synaesthesia: Prevalence and familiarity

被引:194
作者
BaronCohen, S [1 ]
Burt, L [1 ]
SmithLaittan, F [1 ]
Harrison, J [1 ]
Bolton, P [1 ]
机构
[1] UNIV CAMBRIDGE,DEV SECT PSYCHIAT,CAMBRIDGE CB2 2AH,ENGLAND
关键词
D O I
10.1068/p251073
中图分类号
R77 [眼科学];
学科分类号
100212 ;
摘要
Synaesthesia is a condition in which a mixing of the senses occurs; for example, sounds trigger the experience of colour. Previous reports suggest this may be familial, but no systematic studies exist. In addition, there are no reliable prevalence or sex-ratio figures for the condition, which is essential for establishing if the reported sex ratio (female bias) is reliable, and if this implicates a sex-linked genetic mechanism. Two independent population studies were conducted in the city of Cambridge, England (studies 1 and 2 here), as necessary background to the family genetic study of synaesthesia (study 3). Studies 1 and 2 arrived at an almost identical prevalence pe rate for synaesthesia: approximately 1 case in 2000. The sex ratio found was 6:1 (female:male). A third of cases also reported familial aggregation. In study 3 six families were examined, and first-degree relatives were tested for genuineness of the condition. All six families were indeed multiplex for synaesthesia. Alternative modes of inheritance are discussed.
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收藏
页码:1073 / 1079
页数:7
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