Sex differences in episodic memory: minimal influence of estradiol.
Sex differences exist for several cognitive tasks and estrogen has been suggested to influence these differences. Eighteen men and 18 women were matched on age and estradiol level. Potential sex differences were assessed in episodic memory, semantic memory, verbal fluency, problem solving, and visuospatial ability. Significant sex differences, favoring women, were found for tasks assessing episodic memory. Correlations between estradiol level and cognitive performance were significant for face recognition in females. Since sex differences remained in verbal episodic memory tasks and face recognition despite matched levels of estradiol, circulating estradiol does not appear to be of paramount consequence for observed sex differences in episodic memory.
Yonker
Julie E
JE
Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
Eriksson
Elias
E
Nilsson
Lars Göran
LG
Herlitz
Agneta
A
D003071:Cognition; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood*; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D011939:Mental Recall; D011340:Problem Solving; D011930:Reaction Time; D021641:Recognition, Psychology; D012660:Semantics; D012737:Sex Factors; D013028:Space Perception; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol