In order to tackle this question, scientists analyzed over 46,000 brain images provided from nine different clinics in order to identify quantifiable differences between men and women brains. This study is the largest functional brain study to date and the results were quite surprising.
Scientists uses SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography) studies in order to quantify the differences between the brains of men and women. The study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease showed that the brains of women are significantly more active in many different areas of the brain than men, which was verified by the blood flow patterns exhibited in the brains. Two significant areas where women were shown to have higher brain activity then men is in the prefrontal cortex, which plays a role in focus and impulse control and the limbic areas of the brain involved with mood and anxiety. Men should more activity in the visual and coordination centers of the brain. The subjects of the study ranged for healthy volunteers to patients with a variety of psychiatric conditions such as brain trauma, bipolar disorders, mood disorders, schizophrenia/psychotic disorders, and attention deficient hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Scientists observed that women have significantly higher rates of Alzheimer’s disease, depression and anxiety disorders, while men have higher rates of ADHD and conduct-related behavioral problems. The goal of the researchers is to understand the differences between men and women in different brain disorders.
Source: Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease
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