@article{ref1,
title="Sex differences in adolescent white matter architecture",
journal="Brain research",
year="2011",
author="Bava, Sunita and Boucquey, Veronique and Goldenberg, Diane and Thayer, Rachel E. and Ward, Megan and Jacobus, Joanna and Tapert, Susan F.",
volume="1375",
number="",
pages="41-48",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Sex-specific trajectories in white matter development during adolescence may help explain cognitive and behavioral divergences between males and females. Knowledge of sex differences in typically developing adolescents can provide a basis for interpreting sexual dimorphisms in abilities and actions. METHOD: We examined 58 healthy adolescents (12-14years of age) with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Diffusion parameters fractional anisotropy (FA), and mean (MD), radial (RD), and axial diffusivities (AD) were subjected to whole-brain voxel-wise group comparisons using tract-based spatial statistics. Sex differences in white matter microstructure were examined in relation to pubertal development. RESULTS: Early adolescent females (n=29) evidenced higher FA in the right superior corona radiata, higher FA and AD in bilateral corticospinal tracts (≥164μl, p<.01), and lower MD in the right inferior longitudinal fasciculus (ILF) and left forceps major (≥164μl, p<.01) than age-matched males (n=29). Males did not show any areas of higher FA or lower MD than females, but had higher AD in the right superior longitudinal fasciculus, ILF, and forceps minor (≥ 164μl, p<.01). Pubertal stage did not account for sex disparities. CONCLUSION: In early adolescence, females' motor tracts may reflect widespread changes, while males may undergo relatively more microstructural change in projection and association fibers.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0006-8993",
doi="10.1016/j.brainres.2010.12.051",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.brainres.2010.12.051"
}