Citation

Arai Y. Nippon Rinsho 2004; 62(2): 281-292.

Affiliation

University of Human Arts and Sciences.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, Nippon Rinsho)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

14968533

Abstract

Sex differentiation of human brain is mostly dependent on the prenatal exposure to androgen(testosterone). Congenital aromatase deficiency does not disturb male brain development in men. This is quite different from experimental evidence from rodents whose brains need intraneuronal aromatization from androgen to estrogen to induce sex differentiation. There is evidence for male-female differences in brain structures. Some of them(INHA-3) appear to be related with sexual orientation. The other(BNST) might participate in forming gender-identity. In addition, sexually dimorphic features are recognized in some cognitive activities. The possible involvement of genetic factors in human brain sex differentiation is also discussed.

Language: ja