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Sex differences in fetal brain functional network topology.
Jing Liu1,2, Yujin Zhang1,2, Fenglin Jia1,2
1Department of Radiology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, P.R. China.
Cerebral Cortex (New York, N.Y. : 1991)
|March 22, 2024
Summary
Male fetuses exhibit distinct brain network development compared to females. This study reveals sex differences in brain network topology during fetal development, with males showing increased network separation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- The fetal period is critical for brain development.
- Understanding fetal brain characteristics is essential.
- Limited research exists on sex differences in fetal brain networks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate sex differences in fetal brain network characteristics.
- To compare functional connectivity and topological properties between male and female fetuses.
Main Methods:
- Utilized graph theory to analyze brain networks.
- Calculated functional connectivity and topological properties (global and nodal).
- Compared network parameters between male and female fetuses.
Main Results:
- Male fetuses demonstrated a higher clustering coefficient and local efficiency than female fetuses.
- No significant differences were observed in other graph parameters.
- The functional connectivity matrix showed no significant group differences.
Conclusions:
- Sex-related distinctions exist in fetal brain network topology.
- Male fetuses display increased brain network separation compared to female fetuses.
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