The prenatal testosterone levels are generally determined by the genetics of the child and produced by the child's body. However, there are other factors, which can change the sensitivity to these base testosterone levels. In this case, I am not sure if premature birth will necessarily affect the brain development as the child will still produce these levels.
You cannot negate the effect of maternal androgens on the fetus, either. Although there are many cases of maternal virilization with no outward negative effect to the fetus, the mother's own testosterone has the potential to alter other aspects of development. Some maternal medications can also alter testosterone levels during pregnancy. The placenta does metabolize a great deal of maternal androgens, but this is a mesh barrier at best. If the hypothesis states that it is PREnatal testosterone exposure that changes neurodevelopment, than one must wonder what effect premature birth would have. If the testosterone was solely fetal in origin, than time of birth would have little impact. If the mother contributed to the increase in hormone, than birth timing needs to be considered.
I believe post-natal testosterone levels also affect brain development later in life. It may even be the case estrogen levels play a part in this as well.
If the initial hypothesis is shown to be true, than this is a logical follow-up. Brain development does not stop at birth, as we all know, and anything that could affect early development would likely alter it into childhood, if not later.
I find these ideas quite fascinating. It is easier for me to wrap my head around a concrete biological idea as the basis of giftedness, because that is how my brain works best. I so constantly feel out of my element in talking about the subject that it is nice to have someone throw a bone in my direction so I can shake on it for a bit.
