Sexual Dimorphism of Resting-State Network Connectivity in Healthy Ageing
Sharna D Jamadar1,2,3, Francesco Sforazzini1,3, Parnesh Raniga1,4
1Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
Summary
Sex differences in brain connectivity persist into old age. This study found distinct patterns in resting-state networks (RSNs) between males and females, highlighting the importance of considering sex in aging brain research.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Aging Research
- Functional Neuroimaging
Background:
- Age and sex significantly influence illness onset, brain structure, function, and cognition.
- Resting-state networks (RSNs) are crucial for brain function and are implicated in age-related cognitive decline.
- Understanding sex-specific differences in brain connectivity in aging populations is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine frequency-specific connectivity in three key RSNs (default mode, dorsal attention, and salience networks) in healthy older adults.
- To investigate potential sex differences in the intensity and spatial extent of frequency-specific connectivity within these RSNs.
- To determine if observed frequency-specific connectivity patterns and sex differences in healthy aged adults align with findings in younger populations.
Main Methods:
- Utilized multiband functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) on a cohort of 406 healthy older adults.
- Quantified frequency-specific connectivity in four distinct frequency bands (low, moderately low, moderately high, high).
- Analyzed connectivity using measures of mean intensity and spatial extent, comparing males and females across three RSNs.
Main Results:
- All examined RSNs exhibited the greatest connectivity intensity and spatial extent in the low-frequency band, with the smallest extent in the high-frequency band.
- Males demonstrated greater connectivity than females within the salience network.
- Females showed greater connectivity than males within the default mode network.
Conclusions:
- Frequency-specific connectivity patterns and sex differences observed in this healthy aged cohort are consistent with those found in younger individuals.
- These findings suggest that sex-specific variations in resting-state connectivity are maintained into older age.
- Sex should be considered a critical factor influencing outcomes in studies investigating resting-state brain connectivity.
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