Sex-related differences in human cerebral hemodynamics.
OBJECTIVE
To identify possible inter-hemispheric sex-related cerebral hemodynamic differences at rest, in healthy subjects by transcranial Doppler (TCD).


METHODS
Mean flow velocity (MV) was recorded by TCD in 96 (48 males, 48 females) right-handed volunteers. Mean age was similar in males and females, distribution of age-groups by sex was similar, too.


RESULTS
Examining by sex MV values in each basal artery, left middle cerebral artery (MCA) showed a statistically significant difference (53.5+/-8.2 cm x s(-1) in males versus 58.5+/-10.4 cm x s(-1) in females, P=0.005, one-way ANOVA). Multiple regression models show a significant correlation between age and MV on each side, while sex correlates with MV on the left side.


CONCLUSIONS
A sex-dependent hemispheric difference in MV in the left MCA at rest (females>males) in the younger population subgroup was identified. These data support recent observations on anatomical differences between sexes, referring a proportionally larger Broca area in females compared to males.
Marinoni
M
M
Department of Neurological and Psychiatric Sciences, University of Florence, Italy.
Ginanneschi
A
A
Inzitari
D
D
Mugnai
S
S
Amaducci
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002536:Cerebral Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000502:physiology*; D004292:Dominance, Cerebral / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D017585:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial