ABSTRACT

Sex differences in the organization of large-scale resting-state brain networks have been identified using traditional static measures, which average functional connectivity over extended time periods. In contrast, emerging dynamic measures have the potential to define sex differences in network changes over time, providing additional understanding of neurobiological sex differences. To meet this goal, we used a Coactivation Pattern Analysis (CAP) using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data from 181 males and 181 females from the Human Connectome Project. Significant main effects of sex were observed across two independent imaging sessions. Relative to males, females spent more total time in two transient network states (TNSs) spatially overlapping with the dorsal attention network and occipital/sensory-motor network. Greater time spent in these TNSs was related to females making more frequent transitions into these TNSs compared to males. In contrast, males spent more total time in TNSs spatially overlapping with the salience network, which was related to males staying for longer periods once entering these TNSs compared to females. State-to-state transitions also significantly differed between sexes: females transitioned more frequently from default mode network (DMN) states to the dorsal attention network state, whereas males transitioned more frequently from DMN states to salience network states. Results show that males and females spend differing amounts of time at rest in two distinct attention-related networks and show sex-specific transition patterns from DMN states into these attention-related networks. This work lays the groundwork for future investigations into the cognitive and behavioral implications of these sex-specific network dynamics.

摘要

已经使用传统的静态测量方法确定了大规模静息状态大脑网络组织中的性别差异，该测量方法在延长的时间段内平均功能连接。相比之下，新兴的动态测量有可能随着时间的推移定义网络变化中的性别差异，从而提供对神经生物学性别差异的额外理解。为了实现这一目标，我们使用了来自人类连接组项目的 181 名男性和 181 名女性的静息状态功能磁共振成像数据的共激活模式分析 (CAP)。在两个独立的成像过程中观察到性的显着主要影响。相对于男性，女性在两个瞬态网络状态 (TNS) 中花费的总时间更多，在空间上与背侧注意网络和枕骨/感觉运动网络重叠。与男性相比，在这些 TNS 中花费的时间更多与女性更频繁地过渡到这些 TNS 有关。相比之下，男性在与显着网络空间重叠的 TNS 中花费的总时间更多，这与男性与女性相比进入这些 TNS 后停留时间更长有关。状态到状态的转换在性别之间也存在显着差异：女性从默认模式网络 (DMN) 状态转换到背侧注意力网络状态的频率更高，而男性从 DMN 状态转换到显着网络状态的频率更高。结果表明，男性和女性在两个不同的注意力相关网络中花费不同的休息时间，并显示出从 DMN 状态到这些注意力相关网络的特定性别转换模式。