title: Gender differences in working memory networks: a BrainMap meta-analysis.
abstract: Gender differences in psychological processes have been of great interest in a variety of fields. While the majority of research in this area has focused on specific differences in relation to test performance, this study sought to determine the underlying neurofunctional differences observed during working memory, a pivotal cognitive process shown to be predictive of academic achievement and intelligence. Using the BrainMap database, we performed a meta-analysis and applied activation likelihood estimation to our search set. Our results demonstrate consistent working memory networks across genders, but also provide evidence for gender-specific networks whereby females consistently activate more limbic (e.g., amygdala and hippocampus) and prefrontal structures (e.g., right inferior frontal gyrus), and males activate a distributed network inclusive of more parietal regions. These data provide a framework for future investigations using functional or effective connectivity methods to elucidate the underpinnings of gender differences in neural network recruitment during working memory tasks.
authors.affiliation: Auburn University, Department of Psychology, 226 Thach Hall, Auburn, AL 36849, United States. Electronic address: ach0020@auburn.edu.
authors.forename: Ashley C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.affiliation: Florida International University, Department of Physics, Modesto A. Maidique Campus, 11200 SW 8th Street, CP 295, Miami, FL 33199, United States.
authors.forename: Angela R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Laird
authors.affiliation: Auburn University, Department of Psychology, 226 Thach Hall, Auburn, AL 36849, United States; Auburn University, Auburn University Magnetic Resonance Imaging Research Center, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, 560 Devall Drive, Auburn, AL 36849, United States; Auburn University, Department of Kinesiology, 226 Thach Hall, Auburn, AL 36849, United States. Electronic address: jlr0029@auburn.edu.
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Robinson
mesh_terms: D000679:Amygdala / Q000502:physiology; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000502:physiology; D059907:Functional Neuroimaging; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology*; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D010296:Parietal Lobe / Q000502:physiology; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000502:physiology; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012737:Sex Factors
keywords: BrainMap; Gender differences; Sex differences; Working memory; fMRI