Sex/gender differences in the neural substrate of long-term memory.

Abstract

Sex/gender-related differences in neurocognitive task performance and their neural correlates have long been of substantial research interest. Spets & Slotnick's robust study joins a growing body of evidence that significant sex/gender differences exist in long term memory and neurocognition more broadly. In addition to fundamental differences in the neural substrate, hormonal cycles, divergent neurodevelopmental trajectories, sex versus gender identification and sociocultural and educational influences are likely important factors. Building upon these findings, future studies in larger sample sizes should carefully measure these potential modulating and/or confounding variables in order to provide a nuanced picture of sex/gender-related differences in brain function.