Sex Differences in Human Brain Networks from the Perspective of Small-World Properties

Yingying Zhou; Yicheng Long

doi:10.20944/preprints202406.1772.v1

Preprint Review Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Version 1 : Received: 25 June 2024 / Approved: 25 June 2024 / Online: 25 June 2024 (14:24:14 CEST)

Based on non-invasive neuroimaging techniques and graph theory-based network analyses, many researchers have tried to use small-world network model to elucidate sex differences in the brain. This manuscript aims to compile the related research findings from the past few years and summarize the sex differences in human brain networks from the perspective of small-world properties. We reviewed published reports examining altered small-world properties in both the functional and structural brain networks between males and females. Based on four patterns of altered small-world properties proposed--randomization, regularization, stronger small-worldization and weaker small-worldization, we found that current results point to a significant trend toward more regularization in females and more randomization in males in the functional brain networks. As for particular topological properties, the most consistent findings include a significant shift toward higher global efficiency in males and higher local efficiency in females in the functional network studies. On the other hand, there seems to be no consensus to date on the sex differences in small-world properties of the structural brain networks. Nevertheless, we noticed that the sample sizes in many published studies are limited, and future studies with larger samples are warranted to obtain more reliable results. We anticipate that the conclusions in this manuscript will contribute to a deeper understanding of neurobiological mechanisms underlying the sex differences in the brain.

neuroimaging; brain network; brain connectome; sex difference

Biology and Life Sciences, Neuroscience and Neurology

Not displayed online.

Please leave your comment to this article below.

Mathematical equations can be typed in either LaTeX formats \\[ ... \\] or $$ ... $$, or MathML format <math> ... </math>. Try the LaTeX or MathML example.

Type equation:

Preview:

Copy equation into message below

Close menu

Please click a symbol to insert it into the message box below:

Please enter the link here:

Optionally, you can enter text that should appear as linked text:

Copy link into message below

Close menu

Please enter or paste the URL to the image here (please only use links to jpg/jpeg, png and gif images):

Copy image into message below

Close menu

Type author name or keywords to filter the list of references in this group (you can add a new citation under Bibliography):

No existing citations in Discussion Group

Wikify editor is a simple editor for wiki-style mark-up. It was written by MDPI for Sciforum in 2014. The rendering of the mark-up is based on Wiky.php with some tweaks. Rendering of mathematical equations is done with MathJax. Please send us a message for support or for reporting bugs.

Close menu

Please declare any conflicts of interest you may have with this paper, financial or otherwise.

I do not have a conflict of interest

I would like to declare a conflict of interest

Display my name on the website

Captcha

Renew

I accept the following conditions:

Comments must follow the standards of professional discourse and should focus on the scientific content of the article. Insulting or offensive language, personal attacks and off-topic remarks will not be permitted. Comments must be written in English. Preprints reserves the right to remove comments without notice. Readers who post comments are obliged to declare any competing interests, financial or otherwise.

* All users must log in before leaving a comment

Notify me about updates to this article or when a peer-reviewed version is published.

Sex Differences in Human Brain Networks from the Perspective of Small-World Properties

Abstract

Keywords

Subject

Comments (0)