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Updated: May 1, 2026
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Visualization of Cortical Modules in Flattened Mammalian Cortices
Published on: January 22, 2018
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Representing sex in the brain, one module at a time
1Program in Neuroscience, University of California San Francisco, MC2722, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Anatomy, University of California San Francisco, MC2722, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
Neuron
|April 19, 2014
Summary
Sexually dimorphic behaviors arise from a differentiated nervous system, influenced by sensory cues and hormones. Understanding the neural circuits and modular control is key to explaining these complex behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Sexually dimorphic behaviors, differences between sexes, stem from a differentiated nervous system.
- Sensory cues and sex hormones orchestrate these behaviors, including courtship and aggression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize current understanding of neural circuit control of sexually dimorphic behaviors.
- To explore how modular genetic and neural control generate cohesive behavioral states.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing research on neural circuits.
- Analysis of molecular mechanisms and evolutionary constraints.
- Examination of sexually dimorphic neurons and their function.
Main Results:
- Sexually dimorphic behaviors are controlled by distinct genes and neurons in a modular fashion.
- The transformation of modular control into cohesive behavioral states remains poorly understood.
- Emergent themes in dimorphic behavior control may apply to other behaviors.
Conclusions:
- Modular genetic and neural control is a key theme in sexually dimorphic behaviors.
- Further research is needed to understand the integration of modular control into unified behaviors.
- Principles of dimorphic behavior control may offer broader insights into neural control mechanisms.
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