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Updated: Jul 3, 2025
Co-analysis of Brain Structure and Function using fMRI and Diffusion-weighted Imaging
Published on: November 8, 2012
Sex Differences in the Brain's White Matter Microstructure during Development assessed using Advanced Diffusion MRI
Sebastian M Benavidez1, Zvart Abaryan2, Gaon S Kim1
1Imaging Genetics Center, Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging & Informatics Institute, University of Southern California, Marina del Rey, CA, USA.
Abstract:
Typical sex differences in white matter (WM) microstructure during development are incompletely understood. Here we evaluated sex differences in WM microstructure during typical brain development using a sample of neurotypical individuals across a wide developmental age (N=239, aged 5-22 years). We used the conventional diffusion-weighted MRI (dMRI) model, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and two advanced dMRI models, the tensor distribution function (TDF) and neurite orientation dispersion density imaging (NODDI) to assess WM microstructure. WM microstructure exhibited significant, regionally consistent sex differences across the brain during typical development. Additionally, the TDF model was most sensitive in detecting sex differences. These findings highlight the importance of considering sex in neurodevelopmental research and underscore the value of the advanced TDF model.
