A More Female-Characterized Resting-State Brain: Graph Similarity Analyses of Sex Influence on the Human Brain...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Brain Imaging
• Human Connectomics

Background:

• Understanding sex differences in human brain activity is crucial for comprehending behavior.
• Previous research has not definitively established sexual dimorphism in resting-state brain networks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate sex differences in resting-state network structure using graph similarity analysis.
• To explore the relationship between brain network topology and sex-characterized behaviors.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a large dataset from the Human Connectome Project.
• Employed local and global network graph similarity analysis to compare resting-state networks between sexes.
• Performed sex-label permutation tests to assess statistical significance.

Main Results:

• Found significant inter-sex differences in local brain network topology.
• Observed higher intra-female similarity in global and local network topologies compared to males.
• Female individuals with brain networks closer to the average pattern showed lower social anger and distress, and better companionship.

Conclusions:

• Confirmed the existence of sex-related resting-state network topology in the human brain.
• Female intrinsic brain networks demonstrate greater similarity to a typical pattern than male networks.
• Suggests females may better embody the 'similarity breeds connection' principle in social relationships.