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Possible sex differences in the developing human fetal brain.

M C de Lacoste1, D S Horvath, D J Woodward

  • 1Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas.

Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology
|November 1, 1991
PubMed
Summary
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Human fetal brain development shows significant left-right volumetric asymmetries, particularly in the prefrontal cortex and visual cortex. Male brains exhibit greater asymmetry, with testosterone potentially influencing this developmental trajectory.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Biology
  • Human Anatomy

Background:

  • Left-right asymmetries in brain structure are a hallmark of human brain development.
  • Understanding these asymmetries is crucial for insights into typical and atypical brain development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate left-right regional volumetric asymmetries in five telencephalic regions of the developing human fetal brain.
  • To compare asymmetry indices across the fetal sample and identify sex-based differences.

Main Methods:

  • Digitization of coronal sections from 21 human fetal brains.
  • Integration of regional volumes and calculation of asymmetry indices.
  • Statistical comparison of asymmetry across regions and sexes.

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Main Results:

  • The prefrontal cortex (region 1) and striate/extrastriate cortices (region 5) were the most asymmetrical telencephalic regions.
  • Region 5 showed a significant sex difference in asymmetry (p < .02), with males (33%) exhibiting greater asymmetry than females (13%).
  • Male fetal brains, on average, showed right-hemisphere-dominant volumetric asymmetry, while female brains were more symmetrical or favored the left hemisphere.

Conclusions:

  • Developing human fetal brains exhibit significant regional volumetric asymmetries.
  • Striate-extrastriate cortices display marked sex differences in asymmetry, with males showing greater asymmetry.
  • In-utero testosterone exposure is hypothesized to influence hemispheric growth, potentially driving right-hemisphere development in males.