Numerical Comparisons and Sex-Related Brain Connectivity

Abstract

Despite the recent literature on sex-related anatomic, maturational and functional brain differences, the study of significant individual developments in math learning and achievement has scarcely approached this perspective. We aimed to compare the influence of sex in functional brain connectivity and behavioral measures in a numerical comparison task. Therefore, a group of school children with ages from 8 to 11 years old was evaluated during a number comparison task. Even though the behavioral performance was similar across the sexes, males distinctly showed a significant correlation between their math WRAT-4 scores and the number of correct responses in the experimental task and working memory scores. Besides, the analysis of the concurrent EEG during task performance showed that males comparatively had a greater brain left intra-hemispheric connectivity, as well as greater interhemispheric connectivity, particularly in Theta and Alpha bands during task performing -as compared to resting-. In contrast, females showed a significantly different decrement of brain connectivity in the Alpha band from resting to task performing. Present results are interpreted as probably reflecting sex-related maturational dissimilarities in neurodevelopment, along with the progressive development of more efficient cognitive strategies, processes running not necessarily parallel in both sexes.