The difference begins in the womb: Gray matter dominates in women, white matter in men!
A comprehensive study led by the University of Cambridge, which examined brain scans of more than 500 newborn babies, has revealed that male and female brains are programmed in different ways from birth.
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MORE THAN 500 BABIES EXAMINED IN THE STUDY
A new study has revealed that male and female brains develop in different ways from birth.
In the study, described as one of the largest ever conducted on newborn brain anatomy, scientists examined the head scans of more than 500 babies.
GRAY IN GIRLS, WHITE IN BOYS
The scans determined that there was more gray matter in the brains of baby girls, while there was more white matter in the brains of baby boys.
It was stated that gray matter plays a critical role in mental functions such as memory, emotions, and information processing.
It was noted that white matter increases the body's information processing capacity by accelerating the transfer of information between brain cells.
The study's lead author, Yumnah Khan, drew attention to the long-term effects of the findings with the statement, "It appears that the sex differences observed at birth extend into adulthood."
THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE RESEARCH ON NEWBORN BRAIN ANATOMY
The study, conducted in partnership with King's College London, Imperial College London, and the University of Oxford, is described as the most comprehensive research conducted to date on newborn brain anatomy.
In the study, the brain volumes of 514 babies (236 girls and 278 boys) aged 0-28 days were examined using MRI.
While the results revealed that the brain volumes of baby boys were generally larger than those of baby girls, they also highlighted differences in sensory processing and motor control based on gender.
WOMEN ARE BETTER AT MEMORY PROCESSING
In line with these brain developments, it was observed that while women's emotional awareness and memory processing abilities are more developed, men's navigation skills and awareness of their physical environment come to the fore.
DIFFERENCES BEGIN IN THE WOMB
Scientists believe that these differences begin to emerge in the womb but become more pronounced after birth.
The research, published in the journal Biology of Sex Differences, is seen as a new milestone in understanding gender-based differences in the brain.