Abstract
In neuroimaging and neuroscience research, investigating sex differences is crucial for understanding unique aspects of development, behavior, cognitive performances, symptomatology, and disease prognosis within the nervous system. While exploring sex differences in neuroimaging requires rigorous scientific standards and often faces criticism, such research is essential to enhance representation in science and improves patient care. Neuroimaging research on sex differences (NISD) has highlighted sex-specific vulnerabilities: for example, men are more frequently affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder, Parkinson's disease, traumatic brain injury, and strokes, while women are more prone to posttraumatic stress disorder, mood disorders (bipolar/depression), Alzheimer's disease, and multiple sclerosis. Elucidating NISD in these health conditions can uncover distinct mechanisms underlying their development. This chapter reviews recent advances in NISD, focusing on primary research in structural, functional, task-based, and endocrinological methods in neuroimaging. These studies, detail the importance of integrating sex differences into neuroscience to better address and treat diverse neuropsychiatric diseases.
| Original language | American English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Sex, Gender, and Emerging Technologies in Healthcare: Mitigating Bias and Fostering Equity |
| Subtitle of host publication | Sex, Gender, and Equity |
| Editors | Kim Heisook, Nayoung Kim, Sabine Oertelt-Prigione |
| Place of Publication | UK |
| Publisher | Springer Nature |
| Chapter | 5 |
| Pages | 59-71 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Volume | 1 |
| Edition | 1 |
| ISBN (Print) | 978-981-95-2069-5 |
| State | Published - 1 Nov 2025 |