Regional homogeneity differences between the brains of young men and young women: A resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging study

Abstract

Objective

The aim of the study was to investigate gender differences in the brains of young healthy adults, by calculating the regional homogeneity (ReHo) values of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). Thereby providing candidate imaging biomarkers for risk stratification of neurodegenerative diseases and offering a basis for their early screening and targeted intervention.

Methods

Forty-two (42) healthy young adults (21males and 21females) were examined using resting-state fMRI. We employed the statistical method of regional homogeneity (ReHo) to compare the brains of males and females.

Results

The female group exhibited higher activity intensity in the right supramarginal gyrus, but significantly lower activity intensity in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, the right frontal eye field, the right premotor cortex and the right superior temporal gyrus compared to the male group.

Conclusion

Males have greater advantages in working memory, conscious decision-making behavior, visual-motor skills, physical reaction speed, rhythmic perception and language perception, while females show better episodic memory and visual imagination. High ReHo in the left DLPFC of men is a screening marker for high-risk groups of men with AD. High ReHo in the right superior marginal gyrus of women is an early warning biomarker for PTSD or depression.