title: Sex Differences in the Default Mode Network with Regard to Autism Spectrum Traits: A Resting State fMRI Study.
abstract: Autism spectrum traits exist on a continuum and are more common in males than in females, but the basis for this sex difference is unclear. To this end, the present study draws on the extreme male brain theory, investigating the relationship between sex difference and the default mode network (DMN), both known to be associated with autism spectrum traits. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was carried out in 42 females (mean age ± standard deviation, 22.4 ± 4.2 years) and 43 males (mean age ± standard deviation, 23.8 ± 3.9 years) with typical development. Using a combination of different analyses (viz., independent component analysis (ICA), fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF), regional homogeneity (ReHo), and seed-based analyses), we examined sex differences in the DMN and the relationship to autism spectrum traits as measured by autism-spectrum quotient (AQ) scores. We found significant differences between female and male subjects in DMN brain regions, with seed-based analysis revealing a significant negative correlation between default-mode resting state functional connectivity of the anterior medial prefrontal cortex seed (aMPFC) and AQ scores in males. However, there were no relationships between DMN sex differences and autism spectrum traits in females. Our findings may provide important insight into the skewed balance of functional connectivity in males compared to females that could serve as a potential biomarker of the degree of autism spectrum traits in line with the extreme male brain theory.
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Eiheiji, Fukui, Japan.|Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, United States of America.
authors.forename: Minyoung
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, United States of America.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mody
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Eiheiji, Fukui, Japan.|Developmental Emotional Intelligence, Division of Developmental Higher Brain Functions, Department of Child Development United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University and University of Fukui, Eiheiji, Fukui, Japan.|Biomedical Imaging Research Center, University of Fukui, Eiheiji, Fukui, Japan.
authors.forename: Daisuke N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Saito
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Eiheiji, Fukui, Japan.|Developmental Emotional Intelligence, Division of Developmental Higher Brain Functions, Department of Child Development United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University and University of Fukui, Eiheiji, Fukui, Japan.
authors.forename: Akemi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tomoda
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Eiheiji, Fukui, Japan.|Developmental Emotional Intelligence, Division of Developmental Higher Brain Functions, Department of Child Development United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University and University of Fukui, Eiheiji, Fukui, Japan.|Biomedical Imaging Research Center, University of Fukui, Eiheiji, Fukui, Japan.
authors.forename: Hidehiko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Okazawa
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Eiheiji, Fukui, Japan.|Developmental Emotional Intelligence, Division of Developmental Higher Brain Functions, Department of Child Development United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University and University of Fukui, Eiheiji, Fukui, Japan.|Department of Neuropsychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Eiheiji, Fukui, Japan.
authors.forename: Yuji
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wada
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, Eiheiji, Fukui, Japan.|Developmental Emotional Intelligence, Division of Developmental Higher Brain Functions, Department of Child Development United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University and University of Fukui, Eiheiji, Fukui, Japan.|Department of Neuropsychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Eiheiji, Fukui, Japan.
authors.forename: Hirotaka
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kosaka
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D063132:Connectome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D019655:Quantitative Trait, Heritable; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult