TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2011//
TI  - Sex differences in adolescent white matter architecture
JO  - Brain research
A1  - Bava, Sunita
A1  - Boucquey, Veronique
A1  - Goldenberg, Diane
A1  - Thayer, Rachel E.
A1  - Ward, Megan
A1  - Jacobus, Joanna
A1  - Tapert, Susan F.
SP  - 41
EP  - 48
VL  - 1375
IS  - 
N2  - 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>
LA  - en
SN  - 0006-8993
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.brainres.2010.12.051
ID  - ref1
ER  -