title: Gender differences in cortical complexity.
abstract: Cortical complexity, a measure that quantifies the spatial frequency of gyrification and fissuration of the brain surface, has not been thoroughly characterized with respect to gender differences in the human brain. Using a new three-dimensional (3D) analytic technique with magnetic resonance imaging, we found greater gyrification in women than men in frontal and parietal regions. Increased complexity implies more cortical surface area, which may offset gender differences in brain volume and account for behavioral gender differences.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Neuroimaging, Department of Neurology, Brain Mapping Division, UCLA School of Medicine, 710 Westwood Plaza, 4238 Reed, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA.
authors.forename: Eileen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Luders
authors.forename: Katherine L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Narr
authors.forename: Paul M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: David E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Rex
authors.forename: Lutz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jancke
authors.forename: Helmuth
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Steinmetz
authors.forename: Arthur W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Toga
mesh_terms: D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008297:Male; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012737:Sex Factors