A breakthrough neuropsychology study has compiled data from 126 brain studies, which pitted male brains against female brains. These studies used techniques like fMRI and EEG to measure brain volume, density and activity.
The researcher provides further evidence that conditions occurring predominantly in males and females might be because of brain density and volume in specific areas. For example, autism, ADHD, and dyslexia are more common in males, whereas Anxiety disorder, Depression, and anorexia nervosa are more prevalent in females.
Whilst males have bigger brains physically, by 8-13% across the 126 studies, females have denser and more tightly packed neurons in regions of the right hemisphere related to language and emotion.
This is the first time a study of this scale has occurred and is an exciting step forward for neuropsychology.
Reference:
Ruigrok, A.N.V, Salimi-Khorshidi, G., Lai, M., Baron-Cohen, S., Lombardo, M.V., Tait, R.J., Suckling, J., 2013. A meta-analysis of sex differences in human brain structure. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 39, 34-50.
