Small-worldness characteristics and its gender relation in specific hemispheric networks

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Brain Network Analysis
• Cognitive Neuroscience

Background:

• The topological organization of human brain functional networks is crucial for cognitive functions.
• Understanding sex-based differences in brain organization can provide insights into neurological and behavioral variations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate sex differences in the topological organization of human brain functional networks during resting state.
• To analyze these differences across different frequency bands and specific resting-state networks.

Main Methods:

• Utilized electroencephalography (EEG) data from 130 healthy subjects (59 males, 71 females).
• Computed undirected and weighted brain networks using eLORETA lagged linear connectivity.
• Analyzed network topology, specifically small-world (SW) architecture, within each hemisphere and four resting state networks (Attentional, Frontal, Sensorimotor, Default Mode).

Main Results:

• Significant sex differences in SW architecture were observed in the left hemisphere Frontal Network (delta and alpha bands).
• Males exhibited lower delta-band SW values and higher alpha 2-band SW values compared to females in the left Frontal Network.
• Differences were also found in the right hemisphere across Attentional (gamma), Sensorimotor (delta), and Default Mode Networks (delta and gamma bands).

Conclusions:

• Gender-specific differences in small-worldness exist within certain resting-state brain networks.
• These findings highlight distinct EEG rhythm patterns between sexes during rest, potentially linked to behavioral and cognitive functions.
• These identified brain regions warrant consideration in research involving both healthy and clinical populations.