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A new study went to prove that gender-based brain differences are not a myth.
STATES CHRONICLE – The differences between males and females physically can’t be denied. Now, scientists are finding gender-based brain differences are just as evident.
Generalizations, like the notion that women over-think things can be met with opposition today, but there’s emerging evidence that gives this stereotype validity. Scientists discovered through the largest imaging survey ever conducted that the brain differences of women show more activity than those of men.
Brain Differences in Between Genders, Useful in Studying Disease Patterns?
A significant difference lies in women’s increased activity in the cerebral cortex, where most focus and impulse control originates. More activity was also shown in areas that control anxiety and emotion, while men demonstrated higher activity levels in visual and coordination parts of the brain.
The lead author of the study, Amen Clinics founder Daniel Amen, put together a team of researchers that examined around 35,000 brains. Specifically, the scientists looked at the brain scans of 119 healthy volunteers and compared them with 26,683 patients. These exhibited a variety of psychiatric conditions, including ADHD and bipolar disorder.
To determine a basis for where the brain is active while doing concentration tasks, the study examined 128 brain regions. Amen and his team observed the test subjects doing cognitive tasks while 46,034 tests were measured with SPECT or the single photon emission computed tomography. This helped determine the amount of blood flow to the brain.
The results showed striking differences in gender-based brain differences. Males had a higher propensity for problems in conduct and ADHD. In contrast, females showed higher rates of anxiety disorders and depression, which is a warning sign for Alzheimer’s. Presently, women were noted to be more likely to develop this disease.
“The results of the study could lead to a better understanding of Alzheimer’s and of our partners in general,” according to George Perry, editor in chief of the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, in which the research paper was published.
The study may prove to be quite useful in understanding differences in gender regarding other psychological disorders, according to its team.
Image Source: Pixabay
