[Sex and brain].
Does the brain of a man or a woman develop and function in the same way? Recent research results tend to suggest that this is not the case. First, it appears that the level of expression of genes present on the sexual chromosomes could vary as a function of the gender in organs including in the brain. Second, sexual hormones, such as estrogens, were found to have important trophic effects on the development of synaptic networks as well as to influence many neuronal properties. Together, these two mechanisms have probably contributed to the selection through generations of functioning modes, sensitivities or behaviours that may differ between males and females.
Muller
Dominique
D
Département des neurosciences fondamentales, Centre medical universitaire, 1, Rue Michel Servet, 1211 Genève 4. Dominique.Muller@medecine.unige.ch
D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012730:Sex Chromosomes / Q000502:physiology; D019529:Sexuality / Q000502:physiology
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones