scholarly journals Effects of chromosomal sex and hormonal influences on shaping sex differences in brain and behavior: Lessons from cases of disorders of sex development

2016 ◽  
Vol 95 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 65-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew S. Bramble ◽  
Allen Lipson ◽  
Neerja Vashist ◽  
Eric Vilain
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Disorders Of Sex Development ◽  
Sex Development ◽  
Brain And Behavior ◽  
And Behavior

scholarly journals Sex differences in neural and behavioral signatures of cooperation revealed by fNIRS hyperscanning

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph M. Baker ◽  
Ning Liu ◽  
Xu Cui ◽  
Pascal Vrticka ◽  
Manish Saggar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Temporal Cortex ◽  
Neural Correlates ◽  
Behavioral Signatures ◽  
Computer Based ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Brain And Behavior ◽  
The Right ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
The Brain

Abstract Researchers from multiple fields have sought to understand how sex moderates human social behavior. While over 50 years of research has revealed differences in cooperation behavior of males and females, the underlying neural correlates of these sex differences have not been explained. A missing and fundamental element of this puzzle is an understanding of how the sex composition of an interacting dyad influences the brain and behavior during cooperation. Using fNIRS-based hyperscanning in 111 same- and mixed-sex dyads, we identified significant behavioral and neural sex-related differences in association with a computer-based cooperation task. Dyads containing at least one male demonstrated significantly higher behavioral performance than female/female dyads. Individual males and females showed significant activation in the right frontopolar and right inferior prefrontal cortices, although this activation was greater in females compared to males. Female/female dyad’s exhibited significant inter-brain coherence within the right temporal cortex, while significant coherence in male/male dyads occurred in the right inferior prefrontal cortex. Significant coherence was not observed in mixed-sex dyads. Finally, for same-sex dyads only, task-related inter-brain coherence was positively correlated with cooperation task performance. Our results highlight multiple important and previously undetected influences of sex on concurrent neural and behavioral signatures of cooperation.

scholarly journals The genetics of sex differences in brain and behavior

2011 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 227-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tuck C. Ngun ◽  
Negar Ghahramani ◽  
Francisco J. Sánchez ◽  
Sven Bocklandt ◽  
Eric Vilain
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Brain And Behavior ◽  
And Behavior

scholarly journals Strategies and Methods for Research on Sex Differences in Brain and Behavior

Endocrinology ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 146 (4) ◽  
pp. 1650-1673 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jill B. Becker ◽  
Arthur P. Arnold ◽  
Karen J. Berkley ◽  
Jeffrey D. Blaustein ◽  
Lisa A. Eckel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Sex Difference ◽  
Disease Susceptibility ◽  
Gonadal Steroids ◽  
Laboratory Animals ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Brain And Behavior ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Hormonal Condition

Abstract Female and male brains differ. Differences begin early during development due to a combination of genetic and hormonal events and continue throughout the lifespan of an individual. Although researchers from a myriad of disciplines are beginning to appreciate the importance of considering sex differences in the design and interpretation of their studies, this is an area that is full of potential pitfalls. A female’s reproductive status and ovarian cycle have to be taken into account when studying sex differences in health and disease susceptibility, in the pharmacological effects of drugs, and in the study of brain and behavior. To investigate sex differences in brain and behavior there is a logical series of questions that should be answered in a comprehensive investigation of any trait. First, it is important to determine that there is a sex difference in the trait in intact males and females, taking into consideration the reproductive cycle of the female. Then, one must consider whether the sex difference is attributable to the actions of gonadal steroids at the time of testing and/or is sexually differentiated permanently by the action of gonadal steroids during development. To answer these questions requires knowledge of how to assess and/or manipulate the hormonal condition of the subjects in the experiment appropriately. This article describes methods and procedures to assist scientists new to the field in designing and conducting experiments to investigate sex differences in research involving both laboratory animals and humans.

scholarly journals Dehydroepiandrosterone Metabolism by 3β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase/Δ5-Δ4 Isomerase in Adult Zebra Finch Brain: Sex Difference and Rapid Effect of Stress

Endocrinology ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 145 (4) ◽  
pp. 1668-1677 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kiran K. Soma ◽  
Noel A. Alday ◽  
Michaela Hau ◽  
Barney A. Schlinger
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Sex Difference ◽  
Zebra Finch ◽  
Sex Steroids ◽  
Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase ◽  
Adult Brain ◽  
Brain And Behavior ◽  
Rapid Modulation ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
The Brain

Abstract Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a precursor to sex steroids such as androstenedione (AE), testosterone (T), and estrogens. DHEA has potent effects on brain and behavior, although the mechanisms remain unclear. One possible mechanism of action is that DHEA is converted within the brain to sex steroids. 3β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/Δ5-Δ4 isomerase (3β-HSD) catalyzes the conversion of DHEA to AE. AE can then be converted to T and estrogen within the brain. We test the hypothesis that 3β-HSD is expressed in the adult brain in a region- and sex-specific manner using the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata), a songbird with robust sex differences in song behavior and telencephalic song nuclei. In zebra finch brain, DHEA is converted by 3β-HSD to AE and subsequently to estrogens and 5α- and 5β-reduced androgens. 3β-HSD activity is highest in the diencephalon and telencephalon. In animals killed within 2–3 min of disturbance, baseline 3β-HSD activity in portions of the telencephalon is higher in females than males. Acute restraint stress (10 min) decreases 3β-HSD activity in females but not in males, and in stressed animals, telencephalic 3β-HSD activity is greater in males than in females. Thus, the baseline sex difference is rapidly reversed by stress. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of 1) brain region differences in DHEA metabolism by 3β-HSD, 2) rapid modulation of 3β-HSD activity, and 3) sex differences in brain 3β-HSD and regulation by stress. Songbirds are good animal models for studying the regulation and functions of DHEA and neurosteroids in the nervous system.

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