Largest functional brain imaging study to date identifies specific brain differences between women and men.

AUGUST 8, 2017 13:28 IST  /   BY AMIT MALEWAR

There are actually differences in the way women’s and men’s brains are structured. For example from reactions to events and stimuli. The female brain is unique in relation to that of men due, in huge measure, to hormonal contrasts.

In a recent study by psychiatrist Daniel G. Amen of Amen Clinics, Inc. with his team found that the women who have more active brains are significantly more active than men. They compared 46,034 brain SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography) imaging studies provided by nine clinics.

The quantified difference allows scientists to better understand the gender-based risk for brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Amen said, “This is a very important study to help understand gender-based brain differences. Using functional neuroimaging tools, such as SPECT, are essential to developing precision medicine brain treatments in the future.”

Women's brains were significantly more active in many more areas of the brain than men, especially in the prefrontal cortex, involved with focus and impulse control, and the limbic or emotional areas of the brain. After identifying the images acquired from SPECT, scientists found different blood flow in specific brain regions.

Increased blood flow in the prefrontal cortex of women’s brain than men may explain why ladies tend to show more prominent qualities in the territories of sympathy, instinct, cooperation, discretion, and fitting concern. This may explain why women are more vulnerable to anxiety, depression, insomnia, and eating disorders.

Side view of the brain summarizing blood flow results from tens of thousands of study subjects shows increased blood flow in women compared to men, highlighted in the red colored areas of the brain: the cingulate gyrus and precuneus. Men in this image have higher blood flow in blue colored areas — the cerebellum. Credit: Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease

The subjects involved 119 healthy volunteers and 26,683 patients with a variety of psychiatric conditions. Almost 128 brain regions were analyzed for subjects at baseline and while performing a concentration task.

Scientists noted, understanding these differences is important as brain disorders affect men and women differently. Ladies have essentially higher rates of Alzheimer’s sickness, sorrow, which itself is a hazard factor for Alzheimer’s illness, and tension issue, while men have higher rates of (ADHD), lead related issues, and imprisonment (by 1,400%).

Dr. George Perry at The University of Texas said, “Precisely defining the physiological and structural basis of gender differences in brain function will illuminate Alzheimer’s disease and understanding our partners.”