Sex Differences in Fiber Connection between the Striatum and Subcortical and Cortical Regions

Abstract

The striatum is an important subcortical structure with extensive connections to other regions of the brain. These connections are believed to play important roles in behaviors such as reward-related processes and impulse control, which show significant sex differences. However, little is known about sex differences in the striatum-projected fiber connectivity. The current study examined sex differences between 50 Chinese males and 79 Chinese females in their fiber connections between the striatum and nine selected cortical and subcortical regions. Despite overall similarities, males showed stronger fiber connections between the left caudate and rostral cingulate cortex, between the right putamen and the lateral orbitofrontal cortex, between the bilateral putamen and the ventro-lateral prefrontal cortex, and between the right caudate and the ventro-lateral prefrontal cortex, whereas females showed stronger fiber connections between the right putamen and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, between bilateral caudate and hippocampus, and between the left putamen and hippocampus. These findings help us to understand sex differences in the striatum-projected fiber connections and their implications for sex differences in behaviors.

Apathy Mediates Cognitive Difficulties in Geriatric Depression

“…Some neuroimaging studies have found differences in white matter microstructural changes between depressed patients with and without apathy 16 . These vascular changes may also account for sex differences in neural connectivity that have been documented in the literature 33 , particularly in thalamus-driven brain networks 34 involved in complex global integration of cognitive activity. In a recent study, Lei and colleagues observed sex differences within the striatal-lateral prefrontal circuitry that they believe may relate to sex-specific neuroanatomical correlates involved in reward-related cognitive control 34 .…”

“…These vascular changes may also account for sex differences in neural connectivity that have been documented in the literature 33 , particularly in thalamus-driven brain networks 34 involved in complex global integration of cognitive activity. In a recent study, Lei and colleagues observed sex differences within the striatal-lateral prefrontal circuitry that they believe may relate to sex-specific neuroanatomical correlates involved in reward-related cognitive control 34 . Apathy itself has been theorized as a lack of motivation or interest for future rewards, and has also been linked to inefficient prefrontal activation 35 , further suggesting the possibility of unexplored sex differences in connectivity and functional activation in these regions.…”

Marijuana Use and Depressive Symptoms; Gender Differences in African American Adolescents

“…Gender differences in social and environmental influences on marijuana use are also reported ( Caggiula et al, 2002 ; Shrier et al, 2012 ; Crane et al, 2013 ). These may be also related to sex differences in brain connectivity ( Lei et al, 2016 ; Conrin et al, 2018 ).…”

<p>Sex-Related Differences in Sleep-Related PSG Parameters and Daytime Complaints in a Clinical Population</p>

“…Hence, etiological hypotheses about these sex-related differences (in sleep and symptoms) mainly ground on immunological responses, 29,30 neurobiological differences and anatomical variation. 29,31 Whether female patients over-report sleep-related complaints or male patients under-report them remains, of course, to be determined in the light of diagnosis-defining PSG parameters being above thresholds in both sexes.…”