UC Santa Barbara researchers have made a major breakthrough in understanding how the human brain diverges between the sexes, a study that has now been featured in Nature. The research, titled "The progression of sex differences in brain networks across the lifespan," reveals that while boys and girls start with remarkably similar brain structures, a profound divergence occurs during the onset of puberty – shaping the brain's functional and structural networks well into adulthood.
Led by Ke Huang, Keith W. Jamison, UCSB's Emily Jacobs and Nina Miolane, and Amy Kuceyeski, the team utilized a cutting-edge AI tool known as Krakencoder to analyze brain data from over 1,200 individuals ranging in age from 8 to over 100 years. Their findings provide a first-of-its-kind "lifespan map," showing that sex differences are minimal in early childhood but become sharply pronounced during adolescence. As individuals age, these differences continue to evolve: functional connectivity becomes less distinct in later life, while structural connectivity grows even more unique between sexes.
This research is particularly significant for its implications in mental health. By pinpointing exactly when and where these neural pathways diverge – specifically in higher-order networks – scientists can better understand sex-specific vulnerabilities to disorders such as autism, ADHD, and depression. The study underscores the importance of considering "sex as a biological variable" in neuroscience, offering a new framework for developing targeted treatments for brain disorders that affect men and women differently.
Read more here