Structure of the Cerebral Cortex in Men and Women

Expanding previous studies of human cerebral cortical sexual dimorphism showing higher neuronal densities in males, we investigated whether gender differences also exist in the extent of neuropil, size of neuronal somata, and volumes of astrocytes. This histo-morphometric study includes select autop...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of neuropathology and experimental neurology 2002-01, Vol.61 (1), p.46-57
Main Authors: RABINOWICZ, THEODORE, PETETOT, JEAN MACDONALD-COMBER, GARTSIDE, PETER S, SHEYN, DAVID, SHEYN, TONY, DE COURTEN-MYERS, GABRIELLE M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Animals
Astrocytes - cytology
Biological and medical sciences
Cell Count
Cell Size
Cerebral Cortex - anatomy & histology
Electrocardiography. Vectocardiography
Electrodiagnosis. Electric activity recording
Female
Functional Laterality
Humans
Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects)
Male
Medical sciences
Neurons - cytology
Sex Characteristics
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Summary:Expanding previous studies of human cerebral cortical sexual dimorphism showing higher neuronal densities in males, we investigated whether gender differences also exist in the extent of neuropil, size of neuronal somata, and volumes of astrocytes. This histo-morphometric study includes select autopsy brains of 6 males and 5 females, 12 to 24 yr old. In each brain, 86 defined loci were analyzed for cortical thickness, neuronal and astrocytic (8 loci) density (stereological counts), and neuronal and astrocytic (8 loci) soma size, enabling calculations of neuropil and astrocytic volumes. The female group showed significantly larger neuropil volumes than males, whereas neuronal soma size and astrocytic volumes did not differ. The expanded data confirmed higher neuronal densities in males than in females without a gender difference in cortical thickness. These findings indicate that fundamental gender differences exist in the structure of the human cerebral cortex, with more numerous, smaller neuronal units in men and fewer, larger ones in women; they may underlie gender-specific abilities and susceptibilities to disease affecting the neocortex. Laterality differences between the sexes were restricted to neuronal soma size showing significantly larger values in the female group in the left hemisphere. This gender difference may support femaleʼs right-handedness, language advantage, and tendency for bilateral activation patterns.
ISSN:0022-3069
1554-6578
DOI:10.1093/jnen/61.1.46