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Sex differences in frontal lobe white matter microstructure: a DTI study
Philip R Szeszko1, Joshua Vogel, Manzar Ashtari
1Department of Psychiatry Research, The Zucker Hillside Hospital, North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System, Glen Oaks, 75-59 263rd Street, Glen Oaks, NY 11004, USA. szesko@lij.edu
Neuroreport
|December 10, 2003
Summary
Women exhibit distinct frontal lobe white matter microstructure compared to men, with higher fractional anisotropy (FA) and leftward asymmetry. This structural difference in women correlates with enhanced verbal and memory functions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neuroimaging
- Brain Anatomy
Background:
- Sex differences in brain structure are recognized.
- Limited data exists on sex-based variations in white matter microstructure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate sex differences in frontal lobe white matter microstructure.
- To explore the relationship between white matter asymmetry and cognitive function.
Main Methods:
- Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was employed.
- Fractional anisotropy (FA) was measured in frontal lobe white matter of healthy adults.
- Analysis included comparisons between male and female participants.
Main Results:
- Women displayed higher FA in the left frontal lobe compared to men.
- Women showed leftward FA asymmetry, while men did not exhibit hemispheric asymmetry.
- In women, greater leftward FA asymmetry correlated with improved verbal comprehension and memory.
Conclusions:
- Findings suggest potential sex differences in the directional coherence and density of left hemisphere white matter fibers.
- A leftward asymmetry in white matter structural integrity may be more prevalent in women.
- These microstructural variations could underlie observed cognitive differences between sexes.