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Fernández R, Ramírez K, Lorente-Bermúdez R, Gómez-Gil E, Mora M, Guillamon A, Pásaro E. Analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms of the metabotropic glutamate receptors in a transgender population. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1382861. [PMID: 38919484 PMCID: PMC11196815 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1382861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Gender incongruence (GI) is characterized by a marked incongruence between an individual's experienced/expressed gender and the assigned sex at birth. It includes strong displeasure about his or her sexual anatomy and secondary sex characteristics. In some people, this condition produces a strong distress with anxiety and depression named gender dysphoria (GD). This condition appears to be associated with genetic, epigenetics, hormonal as well as social factors. Given that L-glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, also associated with male sexual behavior as well as depression, we aimed to determine whether metabotropic glutamate receptors are involved in GD. Methods We analyzed 74 single nucleotide polymorphisms located at the metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR1, mGluR3, mGluR4, mGluR5, mGluR7 and mGluR8) in 94 transgender versus 94 cisgender people. The allele and genotype frequencies were analyzed by c2 test contrasting male and female cisgender and transgender populations. The strength of the associations was measured by binary logistic regression, estimating the odds ratio (OR) for each genotype. Measurement of linkage disequilibrium, and subsequent measurement of haplotype frequencies were also performed considering three levels of significance: P ≤ 0.05, P ≤ 0.005 and P ≤ 0.0005. Furthermore, false positives were controlled with the Bonferroni correction (P ≤ 0.05/74 = 0.00067). Results After analysis of allele and genotypic frequencies, we found twenty-five polymorphisms with significant differences at level P ≤ 0.05, five at P ≤ 0.005 and two at P ≤ 0.0005. Furthermore, the only two polymorphisms (rs9838094 and rs1818033) that passed the Bonferroni correction were both related to the metabotropic glutamate receptor 7 (mGluR7) and showed significant differences for multiple patterns of inheritance. Moreover, the haplotype T/G [OR=0.34 (0.19-0.62); P<0.0004] had a lower representation in the transgender population than in the cisgender population, with no evidence of sex cross-interaction. Conclusion We provide genetic evidence that the mGluR7, and therefore glutamatergic neurotransmission, may be involved in GI and GD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Fernández
- Department of Psychology, Interdisciplinary Center for Chemistry and Biology Institute, Centro Interdisciplinar de Química e Bioloxía (CICA), Diagnóstico Conductual y Molecular Aplicado a la Salud (DICOMOSA) Group, University of A Coruña, A Coruña, Spain
- Department of Psychology, Institute for Biomedical Research of A Coruña (INIBIC), A Coruña, Spain
| | - Karla Ramírez
- Department of Psychology, Interdisciplinary Center for Chemistry and Biology Institute, Centro Interdisciplinar de Química e Bioloxía (CICA), Diagnóstico Conductual y Molecular Aplicado a la Salud (DICOMOSA) Group, University of A Coruña, A Coruña, Spain
- Department of Psychology, Institute for Biomedical Research of A Coruña (INIBIC), A Coruña, Spain
| | - Roberto Lorente-Bermúdez
- Department of Psychology, Interdisciplinary Center for Chemistry and Biology Institute, Centro Interdisciplinar de Química e Bioloxía (CICA), Diagnóstico Conductual y Molecular Aplicado a la Salud (DICOMOSA) Group, University of A Coruña, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Esther Gómez-Gil
- Gender Identity Unit, Psychiatry Service, Institute of Neurosciences, Hospital Clínic Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mireia Mora
- Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Hospital Clínic Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antonio Guillamon
- Department of Psychobiology, Faculty of Psychology, National University of Distance Education (UNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Eduardo Pásaro
- Department of Psychology, Interdisciplinary Center for Chemistry and Biology Institute, Centro Interdisciplinar de Química e Bioloxía (CICA), Diagnóstico Conductual y Molecular Aplicado a la Salud (DICOMOSA) Group, University of A Coruña, A Coruña, Spain
- Department of Psychology, Institute for Biomedical Research of A Coruña (INIBIC), A Coruña, Spain
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Oltra J, Habich A, Schwarz CG, Nedelska Z, Przybelski SA, Inguanzo A, Diaz‐Galvan P, Lowe VJ, Oppedal K, Gonzalez MC, Philippi N, Blanc F, Barkhof F, Lemstra AW, Hort J, Padovani A, Rektorova I, Bonanni L, Massa F, Kramberger MG, Taylor J, Snædal JG, Walker Z, Antonini A, Dierks T, Segura B, Junque C, Westman E, Boeve BF, Aarsland D, Kantarci K, Ferreira D. Sex differences in brain atrophy in dementia with Lewy bodies. Alzheimers Dement 2024; 20:1815-1826. [PMID: 38131463 PMCID: PMC10947875 DOI: 10.1002/alz.13571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Sex influences neurodegeneration, but it has been poorly investigated in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). We investigated sex differences in brain atrophy in DLB using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS We included 436 patients from the European-DLB consortium and the Mayo Clinic. Sex differences and sex-by-age interactions were assessed through visual atrophy rating scales (n = 327; 73 ± 8 years, 62% males) and automated estimations of regional gray matter volume and cortical thickness (n = 165; 69 ± 9 years, 72% males). RESULTS We found a higher likelihood of frontal atrophy and smaller volumes in six cortical regions in males and thinner olfactory cortices in females. There were significant sex-by-age interactions in volume (six regions) and cortical thickness (seven regions) across the entire cortex. DISCUSSION We demonstrate that males have more widespread cortical atrophy at younger ages, but differences tend to disappear with increasing age, with males and females converging around the age of 75. HIGHLIGHTS Male DLB patients had higher odds for frontal atrophy on radiological visual rating scales. Male DLB patients displayed a widespread pattern of cortical gray matter alterations on automated methods. Sex differences in gray matter measures in DLB tended to disappear with increasing age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Oltra
- Medical Psychology UnitDepartment of MedicineInstitute of NeuroscienceUniversity of BarcelonaBarcelonaCataloniaSpain
- Institute of Biomedical Research August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS)BarcelonaCataloniaSpain
- Division of Clinical GeriatricsCenter for Alzheimer ResearchDepartment of NeurobiologyCare Sciences and SocietyKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | - Annegret Habich
- Division of Clinical GeriatricsCenter for Alzheimer ResearchDepartment of NeurobiologyCare Sciences and SocietyKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
- University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Bern, University of BernBernSwitzerland
| | | | - Zuzana Nedelska
- Memory ClinicDepartment of NeurologyCharles University2nd Faculty of Medicine and Motol University HospitalPragueCzech Republic
| | | | - Anna Inguanzo
- Division of Clinical GeriatricsCenter for Alzheimer ResearchDepartment of NeurobiologyCare Sciences and SocietyKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | | | - Val J. Lowe
- Department of RadiologyMayo ClinicRochesterMinnesotaUSA
| | - Ketil Oppedal
- Center for Age‐Related MedicineStavanger University HospitalStavangerNorway
- Stavanger Medical Imaging Laboratory (SMIL)Department of RadiologyStavanger University HospitalStavangerNorway
- The Norwegian Centre for Movement DisordersStavanger University HospitalStavangerNorway
| | - Maria C. Gonzalez
- Center for Age‐Related MedicineStavanger University HospitalStavangerNorway
- Stavanger Medical Imaging Laboratory (SMIL)Department of RadiologyStavanger University HospitalStavangerNorway
- The Norwegian Centre for Movement DisordersStavanger University HospitalStavangerNorway
- Department of Quality and Health TechnologyFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of StavangerStavangerNorway
| | - Nathalie Philippi
- Geriatrics and Neurology UnitsResearch and Resources Memory Center (CM2R)Hôpitaux Universitaires de StrasbourgStrasbourgFrance
- ICube Laboratory (CNRS, UMR 7357)StrasbourgFrance
| | - Frederic Blanc
- Geriatrics and Neurology UnitsResearch and Resources Memory Center (CM2R)Hôpitaux Universitaires de StrasbourgStrasbourgFrance
- ICube Laboratory (CNRS, UMR 7357)StrasbourgFrance
| | - Frederik Barkhof
- Department of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine (AMC)Amsterdam UMC, Vrije UniversiteitAmsterdamthe Netherlands
- Queen Square Institute of Neurology and Centre for Medical Image Computing (CMIC)University College LondonLondonUK
| | - Afina W. Lemstra
- Alzheimer Center AmsterdamNeurologyVrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC location VumcAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Amsterdam NeuroscienceNeurodegeneration, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC location VumcAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Jakub Hort
- Memory ClinicDepartment of NeurologyCharles University2nd Faculty of Medicine and Motol University HospitalPragueCzech Republic
| | - Alessandro Padovani
- Neurology UnitDepartment of Clinical and Experimental Sciences (DSCS)University of BresciaBresciaItaly
| | - Irena Rektorova
- Brain and Mind ResearchCentral European Institute of Technology (CEITET)Masaryk UniversityBrnoCzech Republic
| | - Laura Bonanni
- Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti‐Pescara ChietiChietiItaly
| | - Federico Massa
- Department of NeuroscienceRehabilitationOphthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child HealthUniversity of GenovaGenovaItaly
| | | | - John‐Paul Taylor
- Translational and Clinical Research InstituteFaculty of Medical SciencesNewcastle UniversityNewcastle upon TyneUK
| | | | - Zuzana Walker
- Division of PsychiatryUniversity College LondonLondonUK
- St Margaret's HospitalEssex Partnership University NHS Foundation TrustEssexUK
| | - Angelo Antonini
- Parkinson and Movement Disorders UnitStudy Center on Neurodegeneration (CESNE)PadovaItaly
| | - Thomas Dierks
- University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Bern, University of BernBernSwitzerland
| | - Barbara Segura
- Medical Psychology UnitDepartment of MedicineInstitute of NeuroscienceUniversity of BarcelonaBarcelonaCataloniaSpain
- Institute of Biomedical Research August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS)BarcelonaCataloniaSpain
- Network Center for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED: CB06/05/0018‐ISCIII)BarcelonaCataloniaSpain
| | - Carme Junque
- Medical Psychology UnitDepartment of MedicineInstitute of NeuroscienceUniversity of BarcelonaBarcelonaCataloniaSpain
- Institute of Biomedical Research August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS)BarcelonaCataloniaSpain
- Network Center for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED: CB06/05/0018‐ISCIII)BarcelonaCataloniaSpain
| | - Eric Westman
- Division of Clinical GeriatricsCenter for Alzheimer ResearchDepartment of NeurobiologyCare Sciences and SocietyKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | | | - Dag Aarsland
- Center for Age‐Related MedicineStavanger University HospitalStavangerNorway
- Department of Old Age PsychiatryInstitute of PsychiatryPsychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN)King's College LondonLondonUK
| | | | - Daniel Ferreira
- Division of Clinical GeriatricsCenter for Alzheimer ResearchDepartment of NeurobiologyCare Sciences and SocietyKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
- Department of RadiologyMayo ClinicRochesterMinnesotaUSA
- Facultad de Ciencias de la SaludUniversidad Fernando Pessoa CanariasLas PalmasEspaña
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Thaploo D, Joshi A, Yilmaz E, Yildirim D, Altundag A, Hummel T. Functional connectivity patterns in parosmia. BEHAVIORAL AND BRAIN FUNCTIONS : BBF 2023; 19:24. [PMID: 38115149 PMCID: PMC10731743 DOI: 10.1186/s12993-023-00225-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Parosmia is a qualitative olfactory dysfunction presenting as "distorted odor perception" in presence of an odor source. Aim of this study was to use resting state functional connectivity to gain more information on the alteration of olfactory processing at the level of the central nervous system level. METHODS A cross sectional study was performed in 145 patients with parosmia (age range 20-76 years; 90 women). Presence and degree of parosmia was diagnosed on the basis of standardized questionnaires. Participants also received olfactory testing using the "Sniffin' Sticks". Then they underwent resting state scans using a 3 T magnetic resonance imaging scanner while fixating on a cross. RESULTS Whole brain analyses revealed reduced functional connectivity in salience as well as executive control networks. Region of interest-based analyses also supported reduced functional connectivity measures between primary and secondary olfactory eloquent areas (temporal pole, supramarginal gyrus and right orbitofrontal cortex; dorso-lateral pre-frontal cortex and the right piriform cortex). CONCLUSIONS Participants with parosmia exhibited a reduced information flow between memory, decision making centers, and primary and secondary olfactory areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divesh Thaploo
- Smell & Taste Clinic, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstrasse 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
| | - Akshita Joshi
- Smell & Taste Clinic, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstrasse 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Eren Yilmaz
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Istanbul Gelisim University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Duzgun Yildirim
- Department of Medical Imaging, Acibadem University, Vocational School of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Aytug Altundag
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Biruni University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Thomas Hummel
- Smell & Taste Clinic, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstrasse 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany
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Takatsuru Y, Motegi S, Nishikata T, Sato H, Yonemochi K. Frontal medial cortex and angular gyrus functional connectivity is related to sex and age differences in odor sensitivity. J Neuroimaging 2022; 32:611-616. [PMID: 35355361 DOI: 10.1111/jon.12994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Odor preference is one of the key factors for the rehabilitation of the swallowing function. On the other hand, sensitivity to odor differs between sexes and decreases with age. These factors rely on brain neuronal circuits. However, it remains not fully clarified which neuronal circuit determines the sex and age differences in odor sensitivity. In this study, we carried out both the odor sensitivity test and functional MRI (fMRI) to find the key neuronal circuits determining sex and age differences in odor sensitivity. METHODS Healthy volunteers (28 males, aged 27-62 years, and 30 females, aged 21-59 years) participated in this study. Some of them (seven males and seven females) underwent fMRI. We prepared five odorous test substances and presented each substance at 1 minute intervals. After 5 minutes of questioning about food intake, the subjects were asked to recall each of the test substances presented from the list. In the fMRI study, all the subjects underwent 15 minutes of the prestimulation, stimulation with peppermint odor, and poststimulation sessions. RESULTS The odor test score was significantly higher in females than in males and showed an age-dependent decrease. We found four functional connectivities whose degrees were significantly different between males and females. One of them, the functional connectivity between the frontal medial cortex (MedFC) and the left angular gyrus (AG. l), showed an age-dependent change. CONCLUSIONS The functional MedFC-AG.l connectivity is one of the important neuronal circuits that affect the sex- and age-dependent odor sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Takatsuru
- Division of Multidimensional Clinical Medicine, Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences, Toyo University, Itakura, Japan.,Department of Medicine, Johmoh Hospital, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Shunichi Motegi
- Department of Radiological Sciences, International University of Health and Welfare, Otawara, Japan
| | | | - Hideyasu Sato
- Department of Food Life Sciences, Toyo University, Itakura, Japan
| | - Keita Yonemochi
- Department of Radiological Technology, Gunma Prefectural College of Health Sciences, Maebashi, Japan
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5
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Piani MC, Maggioni E, Delvecchio G, Ferro A, Gritti D, Pozzoli SM, Fontana E, Enrico P, Cinnante CM, Triulzi FM, Stanley JA, Battaglioli E, Brambilla P. Sexual Dimorphism in the Brain Correlates of Adult-Onset Depression: A Pilot Structural and Functional 3T MRI Study. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:683912. [PMID: 35069272 PMCID: PMC8766797 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.683912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a disabling illness affecting more than 5% of the elderly population. Higher female prevalence and sex-specific symptomatology have been observed, suggesting that biologically-determined dimensions might affect the disease onset and outcome. Rumination and executive dysfunction characterize adult-onset MDD, but sex differences in these domains and in the related brain mechanisms are still largely unexplored. The present pilot study aimed to explore any interactions between adult-onset MDD and sex on brain morphology and brain function during a Go/No-Go paradigm. We hypothesized to detect diagnosis by sex effects on brain regions involved in self-referential processes and cognitive control. Twenty-four subjects, 12 healthy (HC) (mean age 68.7 y, 7 females and 5 males) and 12 affected by adult-onset MDD (mean age 66.5 y, 5 females and 7 males), underwent clinical evaluations and a 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) session. Diagnosis and diagnosis by sex effects were assessed on regional gray matter (GM) volumes and task-related functional MRI (fMRI) activations. The GM volume analyses showed diagnosis effects in left mid frontal cortex (p < 0.01), and diagnosis by sex effects in orbitofrontal, olfactory, and calcarine regions (p < 0.05). The Go/No-Go fMRI analyses showed MDD effects on fMRI activations in left precuneus and right lingual gyrus, and diagnosis by sex effects on fMRI activations in right parahippocampal gyrus and right calcarine cortex (p < 0.001, ≥ 40 voxels). Our exploratory results suggest the presence of sex-specific brain correlates of adult-onset MDD-especially in regions involved in attention processing and in the brain default mode-potentially supporting cognitive and symptom differences between sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Chiara Piani
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Eleonora Maggioni
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Delvecchio
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Adele Ferro
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Davide Gritti
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara M Pozzoli
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Fontana
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Enrico
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudia M Cinnante
- Neuroradiology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio M Triulzi
- Neuroradiology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Jeffrey A Stanley
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Elena Battaglioli
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Segrate, Italy
| | - Paolo Brambilla
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
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Al-Otaibi M, Lessard-Beaudoin M, Castellano CA, Gris D, Cunnane SC, Graham RK. Volumetric MRI demonstrates atrophy of the olfactory cortex in AD. Curr Alzheimer Res 2020; 17:904-915. [PMID: 33327913 DOI: 10.2174/1567205017666201215120909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Alzheimer disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder that affects millions of individuals worldwide. Symptoms include memory dysfunction and deficits in attention, planning, language, and overall cognitive function. Olfactory dysfunction is a common symptom of AD and evidence supports that it is an early marker. Furthermore, olfactory bulb and entorhinal cortex atrophy are well described in AD. However, in AD, no studies have assessed the olfactory cortex as a whole and if sex effects are observed. METHODS Magnetic Resonance Imaging was used to scan 39 participants with an average age of 72 years and included men and women. AAL Single-Subject Atlas (implemented in PNEURO tool - PMOD 3.8) was used to determine the volume of the olfactory cortex and the hippocampus. Olfactory cortex volume was lower in both men and women AD cases compared with controls. This decrease was more apparent in the left olfactory cortex and was influenced by age. As expected, hippocampal volume was also significantly reduced in AD. However, this was only observed in the male cohort. A significant correlation was observed between levels of education and hippocampal volume in controls that were not detected in the AD participants. Asymmetry was observed in the olfactory cortex volume when comparing left and right volumes in both the control and AD participants, which was not observed in the hippocampus. RESULTS These data highlight the importance of the role of olfactory cortical atrophy in the pathogenesis of AD and the interplay between the olfactory deficits and degeneration of olfactory regions in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Denis Gris
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Stephen C Cunnane
- Research Center on Aging, CIUSSS-IUGS de l'Estrie-CHUS, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Rona K Graham
- Research Center on Aging, CIUSSS-IUGS de l'Estrie-CHUS, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
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Wabnegger A, Schlintl C, Höfler C, Gremsl A, Schienle A. Altered grey matter volume in 'super smellers'. Brain Imaging Behav 2020; 13:1726-1732. [PMID: 30535625 PMCID: PMC6904410 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-018-0008-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
‘Super smellers‘ are those individuals who show a heightened sense of smell. Data on the structural neuroanatomy of this phenomenon are still missing. A voxel-based morphometry study was conducted in order to compare gray matter volume (GMV) in specific brain regions of the olfactory network (piriform/entorhinal cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, insula, hippocampus) between 25 male ‘super smellers’ and 20 normosmic men. Participants were assigned to these groups based on their scores on a standardized olfactory performance test. Relative to normosmic men, ‘super smellers’ showed increased GMV in the anterior insula and in the hippocampus (dentate gyrus). These regions are crucial for the integration of olfactory information as well as odor learning and odor memory. Moreover, positive correlations between hippocampal volume and olfactory performance were detected in both groups. Future research should elaborate on how much of the observed neuroanatomical pattern of ‘super smellers’ is genetic and how much of it reflects experienced-based GMV increase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Wabnegger
- Clinical Psychology, BioTechMed Graz, University of Graz, Universitätsplatz 2, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Carina Schlintl
- Clinical Psychology, BioTechMed Graz, University of Graz, Universitätsplatz 2, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Carina Höfler
- Clinical Psychology, BioTechMed Graz, University of Graz, Universitätsplatz 2, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Andreas Gremsl
- Clinical Psychology, BioTechMed Graz, University of Graz, Universitätsplatz 2, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Anne Schienle
- Clinical Psychology, BioTechMed Graz, University of Graz, Universitätsplatz 2, 8010, Graz, Austria.
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Kranz GS, Kaufmann U, Lanzenberger R. Probing the Impact of Gender-Affirming Hormone Treatment on Odor Perception. Chem Senses 2019; 45:37-44. [PMID: 31638640 DOI: 10.1093/chemse/bjz069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Evidence suggests that women outperform men in core aspects of odor perception, and sex hormones may play a significant role in moderating this effect. The gender-affirming treatment (GAT) of transgender persons constitutes a powerful natural experiment to study the psychological and behavioral effects of high dosages of cross-sex hormone applications. Therefore, our aim was to investigate the effects of GAT on odor perception in a sample of 131 participants including female and male controls, as well as transmen and transwomen over their first 4 months of gender transition. The Sniffin’ Sticks test battery was used to measure odor detection, discrimination, and identification at baseline, as well as 1 and 4 months after the start of GAT. Plasma levels of estradiol, testosterone, and sex hormone-binding globulin were analyzed for each assessment point. Results revealed no significant change of olfactory performance in the two transgender groups compared with female and male controls. There was no significant difference between groups at baseline or any other time point. Neither biological sex, nor gender identity had an influence on odor perception. Moreover, there was no significant correlation between sex hormones and odor perception and between GAT-induced changes in sex hormones and changes in odor perception. Our results indicate that the effects of sex hormones on olfactory performance are subtle, if present at all. However, our results do not preclude hormonal effects on odors not included in the Sniffin’ Sticks test battery, such as body odors or odors associated with sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georg S Kranz
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, SAR, China
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Ulrike Kaufmann
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Rupert Lanzenberger
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
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9
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Hillerer KM, Slattery DA, Pletzer B. Neurobiological mechanisms underlying sex-related differences in stress-related disorders: Effects of neuroactive steroids on the hippocampus. Front Neuroendocrinol 2019; 55:100796. [PMID: 31580837 PMCID: PMC7115954 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2019.100796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Revised: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 09/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Men and women differ in their vulnerability to a variety of stress-related illnesses, but the underlying neurobiological mechanisms are not well understood. This is likely due to a comparative dearth of neurobiological studies that assess male and female rodents at the same time, while human neuroimaging studies often don't model sex as a variable of interest. These sex differences are often attributed to the actions of sex hormones, i.e. estrogens, progestogens and androgens. In this review, we summarize the results on sex hormone actions in the hippocampus and seek to bridge the gap between animal models and findings in humans. However, while effects of sex hormones on the hippocampus are largely consistent in animals and humans, methodological differences challenge the comparability of animal and human studies on stress effects. We summarise our current understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms that underlie sex-related differences in behavior and discuss implications for stress-related illnesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina M Hillerer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Salzburger Landeskrankenhaus (SALK), Paracelsus Medical University (PMU), Clinical Research Center Salzburg (CRCS), Salzburg, Austria.
| | - David A Slattery
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Belinda Pletzer
- Department of Psychology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria; Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
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10
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Karaoglan M, Çolakoğlu Er H. The relationship between the olfactory bulb and precocious puberty: from the nose to the pituitary. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab 2019; 32:1013-1021. [PMID: 31377742 DOI: 10.1515/jpem-2018-0534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Background/objective The olfactory bulb (OB) and pubertal development have a close relationship as they share a common ontogenetic origin. The aim of this study was to analyze the potential relationship between precocious puberty (PP) in girls as a sign of early pubertal timing and their OB volume as an indicator of its functional activity. Design In the study group (n = 125), OB volume, pituitary height (PH), body mass index (BMI) and body surface (S) variables were retrospectively investigated in 49 girls included in the PP group and 76 healthy girls constituting the control group. Volumetric and length measurements were performed on a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan by using manual segmentation of slices. Results The mean OB volume (73.41 ± 17.21 mm3) and PH (4.96 ± 1.01 mm) were significantly higher in the PP group (p = 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively). The mean volume difference between the right and left bulbs (1.52 ± 1.87) was higher in the PP group (p = 0.03). The body surface (1.05 ± 0.16 m2) was larger in the PP group (p = 0.09). There was a high correlation between the OB volume and PH (r125 = 0.716). There was a moderate correlation between the body surface and OB volume (r125 = 654), and a weak correlation between the former (S) and the PH (r125 = 452). Conclusions This study showed that there is a strong correlation between increased OB volume and PH in cases with PP. It indicates that increased OB volume may be a strong clue that olfactory functions play a role in pubertal timing in humans, although it does not show definitive proof of a causal relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murat Karaoglan
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Gaziantep University Faculty of Medicine, 27070 Gaziantep, Turkey
| | - Hale Çolakoğlu Er
- Department of Radiology, Gaziantep University Faculty of Medicine, Gaziantep, Turkey
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11
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Walsh-Messinger J, Wong PS, Antonius D, McMahon K, Opler LA, Ramirez PM, Malaspina D. Sex differences in hedonic judgement of odors in schizophrenia cases and healthy controls. Psychiatry Res 2018; 269:345-353. [PMID: 30173040 PMCID: PMC6207462 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2018.08.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2017] [Revised: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The neurocircuitries subserving affective and olfactory processes overlap, are sexually dimorphic, and show disruptions in schizophrenia, suggesting their intersection may be a window on the core process producing psychosis. This study investigated diagnostic and sex differences in hedonic judgments of odors and smell identification in 26 schizophrenia cases and 27 healthy controls. Associations between olfaction measures and psychiatric symptoms were also examined. Cases and controls had similar identification accuracy of unpleasant odors, but cases were significantly less accurate in naming pleasant odors. In cases, greater negative symptom severity was related to abnormal hedonic judgments; specifically, higher pleasantness ratings for unpleasant odors and higher unpleasantness ratings for pleasant odors. Greater positive symptom severity was associated with lower pleasantness ratings for neutral odors. Regarding sex differences, male cases and female controls rated pleasant odors as significantly more unpleasant than male controls. Correlations between depression severity and pleasantness ratings of neutral odors were in opposite directions in male and female cases. These results suggest that a normal sexual dimorphism in the circuitry for hedonic odor judgments may interact with schizophrenia pathology, supporting the utility of olfactory hedonics as a sex-specific biomarker of this pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Walsh-Messinger
- Department of Psychology, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, OH, USA.
| | - Philip S. Wong
- Department of Psychology, Long Island University, Brooklyn,
NY
| | - Daniel Antonius
- Department of Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine, New York,
NY,University at Buffalo, State University of NY, Buffalo,
NY,Erie County Forensic Mental Health Services, Buffalo,
NY
| | - Kevin McMahon
- Department of Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine, New York,
NY
| | - Lewis A. Opler
- Department of Psychology, Long Island University, Brooklyn,
NY
| | | | - Dolores Malaspina
- Departments of Psychiatry, Neuroscience, and Genetics,
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
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12
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Melero H, Borromeo S, Cristobal-Huerta A, Manzanedo E, Luna G, Toledano A, Hernández-Tamames JA. Sex Differences in the Olfactory System: a Functional MRI Study. CHEMOSENS PERCEPT 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s12078-018-9250-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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13
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Turetsky BI, Moberg PJ, Quarmley M, Dress E, Calkins ME, Ruparel K, Prabhakaran K, Gur RE, Roalf DR. Structural anomalies of the peripheral olfactory system in psychosis high-risk subjects. Schizophr Res 2018; 195:197-205. [PMID: 28974405 PMCID: PMC5878118 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2017.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2017] [Revised: 09/05/2017] [Accepted: 09/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Olfactory impairments are prominent in both schizophrenia and the preceding at-risk state. Their presence prior to illness predicts poor functional outcome. In schizophrenia, these impairments reflect peripheral olfactory structural abnormalities, which are hypothesized to arise during early embryonic development. If this is correct, then similar structural anomalies should be apparent among clinical high-risk subjects. METHODS Thirty-nine clinical high-risk (CR) subjects (24M/15F) were compared to 36 low-risk (LR) subjects (19M/17F). Olfactory measures derived from 3T MRI scans included olfactory bulb volume, primary olfactory cortical gray matter volume, and the depth of the olfactory sulcus overlying the bulb. Additionally, nasal cavity volumes were assessed with acoustic rhinometry. RESULTS Male CR subjects exhibited bilateral reductions in olfactory bulb volume and abnormal asymmetries of the posterior nasal cavities and olfactory sulci (left reduced relative to right). Post-hoc contrasts also indicated reduced left, but not right, olfactory cortical gray matter volume. Female CRs had no significant abnormalities, although they exhibited similar trend effects. Left olfactory bulb volume correlated, across all CR subjects, with negative, but not positive, symptoms. In a classification analysis, with 80% target specificity, olfactory measurements distinguished male CR from male LR subjects with 93% sensitivity. Among females, the comparable sensitivity was 69%. CONCLUSION Psychosis-risk youths exhibit an array of sexually dimorphic and laterally asymmetric anomalies of the peripheral olfactory system. These are consistent with a developmental disruption primarily affecting male fetuses. These structural biomarkers may enhance the identification of at-risk subjects with poor prognosis, before their clinical trajectory is apparent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce I. Turetsky
- Department of Psychiatry, Neuropsychiatry Division, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104,Smell and Taste Center, Department of Otorhinolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Paul J. Moberg
- Department of Psychiatry, Neuropsychiatry Division, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104,Smell and Taste Center, Department of Otorhinolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Megan Quarmley
- Department of Psychiatry, Neuropsychiatry Division, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Erich Dress
- Department of Psychiatry, Neuropsychiatry Division, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Monica E. Calkins
- Department of Psychiatry, Neuropsychiatry Division, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Kosha Ruparel
- Department of Psychiatry, Neuropsychiatry Division, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Karthik Prabhakaran
- Department of Psychiatry, Neuropsychiatry Division, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Raquel E. Gur
- Department of Psychiatry, Neuropsychiatry Division, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - David R. Roalf
- Department of Psychiatry, Neuropsychiatry Division, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
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14
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Yuan L, Chen F, Zeng LL, Wang L, Hu D. Gender Identification of Human Brain Image with A Novel 3D Descriptor. IEEE/ACM TRANSACTIONS ON COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY AND BIOINFORMATICS 2018; 15:551-561. [PMID: 29610103 DOI: 10.1109/tcbb.2015.2448081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Determining gender by examining the human brain is not a simple task because the spatial structure of the human brain is complex, and no obvious differences can be seen by the naked eyes. In this paper, we propose a novel three-dimensional feature descriptor, the three-dimensional weighted histogram of gradient orientation (3D WHGO) to describe this complex spatial structure. The descriptor combines local information for signal intensity and global three-dimensional spatial information for the whole brain. We also improve a framework to address the classification of three-dimensional images based on MRI. This framework, three-dimensional spatial pyramid, uses additional information regarding the spatial relationship between features. The proposed method can be used to distinguish gender at the individual level. We examine our method by using the gender identification of individual magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of a large sample of healthy adults across four research sites, resulting in up to individual-level accuracies under the optimized parameters for distinguishing between females and males. Compared with previous methods, the proposed method obtains higher accuracy, which suggests that this technology has higher discriminative power. With its improved performance in gender identification, the proposed method may have the potential to inform clinical practice and aid in research on neurological and psychiatric disorders.
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15
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Zhang B, Huo X, Xu L, Cheng Z, Cong X, Lu X, Xu X. Elevated lead levels from e-waste exposure are linked to decreased olfactory memory in children. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2017; 231:1112-1121. [PMID: 28802781 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2016] [Revised: 06/20/2017] [Accepted: 07/06/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Lead (Pb) is a developmental neurotoxicant and can cause abnormal development of the nervous system in children. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Pb exposure on child olfactory memory by correlating the blood Pb levels of children in Guiyu with olfactory memory tests. We recruited 61 preschool children, 4- to 7-years of age, from Guiyu and 57 children from Haojiang. The mean blood Pb level of Guiyu children was 9.40 μg/dL, significantly higher than the 5.04 μg/dL mean blood Pb level of Haojiang children. In addition, approximately 23% of Guiyu children had blood Pb levels exceeding 10.00 μg/dL. The correlation analysis showed that blood Pb levels in children highly correlated with e-waste contact (rs = 0.393). Moreover, the mean concentration of serum BDNF in Guiyu children (35.91 ng/ml) was higher than for Haojiang (28.10 ng/ml) and was positively correlated with blood Pb levels. Both item and source olfactory memory tests at 15 min, 5 h and 24 h after odor exposure showed that scores were lower in Guiyu children indicative of reduced olfactory memory in Guiyu children. Olfactory memory tests scores negatively correlated with blood Pb and serum BDNF levels, but were positively associated with parental education levels. At the same time, scores of both tests on children in the high blood Pb level group (blood Pb levels > 5.00 μg/dL) were lower than those in the low blood Pb level group (blood Pb levels ≤ 5.00 μg/dL), implying that Pb exposure decreases olfactory memory in children. Our findings suggest that Pb exposure in e-waste recycling and dismantling areas could result in an increase in serum BDNF level and a decrease in child olfactory memory, in addition, BDNF might be involved in olfactory memory impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Zhang
- Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Xia Huo
- School of Environment, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510632, China
| | - Long Xu
- Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhiheng Cheng
- Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaowei Cong
- Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Xueling Lu
- Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Xijin Xu
- Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China; Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China.
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16
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Zhang C, Wang X. Initiation of the age-related decline of odor identification in humans: A meta-analysis. Ageing Res Rev 2017; 40:45-50. [PMID: 28830800 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2017.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2017] [Accepted: 08/11/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aging is an important contributor to olfactory system deterioration in humans, leading to increased health and safety risks as well as affecting the quality of life. However, it is currently unknown when age-related olfactory deterioration begins in humans and thus when to initiate interventions to prevent or slow it. OBJECTIVE To determine the decade in which olfactory function begins to deteriorate in healthy humans by determining when odor identification is first impaired. DATA SOURCE AND STUDY SELECTION Studies cited in the PubMed database were searched from its inception to March 2017 using the terms "olfac*" or "smell" and "ag*". The effect size of each comparison was calculated. RESULTS In this meta-analysis, the effect sizes as determined using Cohen's d for the comparisons between 30 and 39.9- and 40-49.9-year-olds was 0.06 (95% CI: -0.17 to 0.29), between 40-49.9-year-olds was 0.62 (95% CI: 0.20-1.04), considered a medium effect size, and between 35-55-year-olds and those >55years old was 1.12 (95% CI: 1.06-1.45), considered a very large effect. CONCLUSION Olfactory function deterioration, as determined by an impaired ability to identify odors, starts in the fifth decade of life in healthy humans.
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17
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Vivancos J, Tena N, Morales MT, Aparicio R, García-González DL. A neuroimaging study of pleasant and unpleasant olfactory perceptions of virgin olive oil. GRASAS Y ACEITES 2016. [DOI: 10.3989/gya.0329161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has been used to collect information from neurons that receive direct input from olfactory bulbs when subjects smell virgin olive oil. The pleasant aroma of three extra virgin olive oils (var. Royal, Arbequina and Picual) and three virgin olive oils with sensory defects (rancid, fusty and winey/vinegary) were presented to 14 subjects while a fMRI scan acquired data from the brain activity. Data were subjected to a two-sample t test analysis, which allows a better interpretation of results particularly when data are studied across different subjects. Most of the activations, which were located in the frontal lobe, are related to the olfactory task regardless of the hedonic component of perception (e.g. Brodmann areas 10, 11). Comparing the samples with pleasant and unpleasant aromas, differences were found at the anterior cingulate gyrus (Brodmann area 32), at the temporal lobe (Brodmann area 38), and inferior frontal gyrus (Brodmann area 47), while intense aromas activated Brodmann area 6. The actual perceptions described by the subjects and the concentration of the odorant compounds in the samples were considered in the interpretation of the results.
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18
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Guillamon A, Junque C, Gómez-Gil E. A Review of the Status of Brain Structure Research in Transsexualism. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2016; 45:1615-48. [PMID: 27255307 PMCID: PMC4987404 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-016-0768-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2014] [Revised: 09/22/2015] [Accepted: 04/29/2016] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The present review focuses on the brain structure of male-to-female (MtF) and female-to-male (FtM) homosexual transsexuals before and after cross-sex hormone treatment as shown by in vivo neuroimaging techniques. Cortical thickness and diffusion tensor imaging studies suggest that the brain of MtFs presents complex mixtures of masculine, feminine, and demasculinized regions, while FtMs show feminine, masculine, and defeminized regions. Consequently, the specific brain phenotypes proposed for MtFs and FtMs differ from those of both heterosexual males and females. These phenotypes have theoretical implications for brain intersexuality, asymmetry, and body perception in transsexuals as well as for Blanchard's hypothesis on sexual orientation in homosexual MtFs. Falling within the aegis of the neurohormonal theory of sex differences, we hypothesize that cortical differences between homosexual MtFs and FtMs and male and female controls are due to differently timed cortical thinning in different regions for each group. Cross-sex hormone studies have reported marked effects of the treatment on MtF and FtM brains. Their results are used to discuss the early postmortem histological studies of the MtF brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Guillamon
- Departamento de Psicobiología, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia, c/Juand del Rosal, 10, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
- Academia de Psicología de España, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Carme Junque
- Departamento de Psiquiatría y Psicobiología Clínica, Universidad de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Biomedical Research August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Esther Gómez-Gil
- Institute of Biomedical Research August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
- Unidad de Identidad de Género, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
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19
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Odours reduce the magnitude of object substitution masking for matching visual targets in females. Atten Percept Psychophys 2016; 78:1702-11. [PMID: 27306640 DOI: 10.3758/s13414-016-1157-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Recent evidence suggests that olfactory stimuli can influence early stages of visual processing, but there has been little focus on whether such olfactory-visual interactions convey an advantage in visual object identification. Moreover, despite evidence that some aspects of olfactory perception are superior in females than males, no study to date has examined whether olfactory influences on vision are gender-dependent. We asked whether inhalation of familiar odorants can modulate participants' ability to identify briefly flashed images of matching visual objects under conditions of object substitution masking (OSM). Across two experiments, we had male and female participants (N = 36 in each group) identify masked visual images of odour-related objects (e.g., orange, rose, mint) amongst nonodour-related distracters (e.g., box, watch). In each trial, participants inhaled a single odour that either matched or mismatched the masked, odour-related target. Target detection performance was analysed using a signal detection (d') approach. In females, but not males, matching odours significantly reduced OSM relative to mismatching odours, suggesting that familiar odours can enhance the salience of briefly presented visual objects. We conclude that olfactory cues exert a subtle influence on visual processes by transiently enhancing the salience of matching object representations. The results add to a growing body of literature that points towards consistent gender differences in olfactory perception.
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20
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Giovannelli F, Giganti F, Saviozzi A, Rebai M, Marzi T, Righi S, Tramacere L, Borgheresi A, Cincotta M, Viggiano M. Gender Differences in Time Perception During Olfactory Stimulation. J SENS STUD 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/joss.12191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- F. Giovannelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research, Child Health; University of Florence; Florence Italy
- Unit of Neurology; Azienda Sanitaria di Firenze Florence Italy
| | - F. Giganti
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research, Child Health; University of Florence; Florence Italy
| | - A. Saviozzi
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research, Child Health; University of Florence; Florence Italy
| | - M. Rebai
- Laboratoire de Psychologie et Neurosciences; Université de Rouen; Mont-Saint-Aignan Cedex France
| | - T. Marzi
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research, Child Health; University of Florence; Florence Italy
| | - S. Righi
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research, Child Health; University of Florence; Florence Italy
| | - L. Tramacere
- Unit of Neurology; Azienda Sanitaria di Firenze Florence Italy
| | - A. Borgheresi
- Unit of Neurology; Azienda Sanitaria di Firenze Florence Italy
| | - M. Cincotta
- Unit of Neurology; Azienda Sanitaria di Firenze Florence Italy
| | - M.P. Viggiano
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research, Child Health; University of Florence; Florence Italy
- Children's Hospital A. Meyer-University of Florence; Florence Italy
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Robinson AK, Reinhard J, Mattingley JB. Olfaction Modulates Early Neural Responses to Matching Visual Objects. J Cogn Neurosci 2015; 27:832-41. [DOI: 10.1162/jocn_a_00732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Sensory information is initially registered within anatomically and functionally segregated brain networks but is also integrated across modalities in higher cortical areas. Although considerable research has focused on uncovering the neural correlates of multisensory integration for the modalities of vision, audition, and touch, much less attention has been devoted to understanding interactions between vision and olfaction in humans. In this study, we asked how odors affect neural activity evoked by images of familiar visual objects associated with characteristic smells. We employed scalp-recorded EEG to measure visual ERPs evoked by briefly presented pictures of familiar objects, such as an orange, mint leaves, or a rose. During presentation of each visual stimulus, participants inhaled either a matching odor, a nonmatching odor, or plain air. The N1 component of the visual ERP was significantly enhanced for matching odors in women, but not in men. This is consistent with evidence that women are superior in detecting, discriminating, and identifying odors and that they have a higher gray matter concentration in olfactory areas of the OFC. We conclude that early visual processing is influenced by olfactory cues because of associations between odors and the objects that emit them, and that these associations are stronger in women than in men.
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22
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Kaasinen V, Joutsa J, Noponen T, Johansson J, Seppänen M. Effects of aging and gender on striatal and extrastriatal [ 123 I]FP-CIT binding in Parkinson's disease. Neurobiol Aging 2015; 36:1757-1763. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2015.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2014] [Revised: 11/17/2014] [Accepted: 01/16/2015] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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23
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Oliveira-Pinto AV, Santos RM, Coutinho RA, Oliveira LM, Santos GB, Alho ATL, Leite REP, Farfel JM, Suemoto CK, Grinberg LT, Pasqualucci CA, Jacob-Filho W, Lent R. Sexual dimorphism in the human olfactory bulb: females have more neurons and glial cells than males. PLoS One 2014; 9:e111733. [PMID: 25372872 PMCID: PMC4221136 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0111733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2014] [Accepted: 10/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex differences in the human olfactory function reportedly exist for olfactory sensitivity, odorant identification and memory, and tasks in which odors are rated based on psychological features such as familiarity, intensity, pleasantness, and others. Which might be the neural bases for these behavioral differences? The number of cells in olfactory regions, and especially the number of neurons, may represent a more accurate indicator of the neural machinery than volume or weight, but besides gross volume measures of the human olfactory bulb, no systematic study of sex differences in the absolute number of cells has yet been undertaken. In this work, we investigate a possible sexual dimorphism in the olfactory bulb, by quantifying postmortem material from 7 men and 11 women (ages 55–94 years) with the isotropic fractionator, an unbiased and accurate method to estimate absolute cell numbers in brain regions. Female bulbs weighed 0.132 g in average, while male bulbs weighed 0.137 g, a non-significant difference; however, the total number of cells was 16.2 million in females, and 9.2 million in males, a significant difference of 43.2%. The number of neurons in females reached 6.9 million, being no more than 3.5 million in males, a difference of 49.3%. The number of non-neuronal cells also proved higher in women than in men: 9.3 million and 5.7 million, respectively, a significant difference of 38.7%. The same differences remained when corrected for mass. Results demonstrate a sex-related difference in the absolute number of total, neuronal and non-neuronal cells, favoring women by 40–50%. It is conceivable that these differences in quantitative cellularity may have functional impact, albeit difficult to infer how exactly this would be, without knowing the specific circuits cells make. However, the reported advantage of women as compared to men may stimulate future work on sex dimorphism of synaptic microcircuitry in the olfactory bulb.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana V. Oliveira-Pinto
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Raquel M. Santos
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Renan A. Coutinho
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Lays M. Oliveira
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Gláucia B. Santos
- Aging Brain Study Group, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
- Brain Institute, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana T. L. Alho
- Aging Brain Study Group, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
- Brain Institute, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Renata E. P. Leite
- Aging Brain Study Group, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - José M. Farfel
- Aging Brain Study Group, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
- Discipline of Geriatrics, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Claudia K. Suemoto
- Aging Brain Study Group, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
- Discipline of Geriatrics, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lea T. Grinberg
- Aging Brain Study Group, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Neurology and Pathology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, United States of America
| | | | - Wilson Jacob-Filho
- Aging Brain Study Group, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
- Discipline of Geriatrics, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Roberto Lent
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- National Institute of Translational Neuroscience, Ministry of Science and Technology, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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Yao L, Pinto JM, Yi X, Li L, Peng P, Wei Y. Gray matter volume reduction of olfactory cortices in patients with idiopathic olfactory loss. Chem Senses 2014; 39:755-60. [PMID: 25240014 DOI: 10.1093/chemse/bju047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic olfactory loss (IOL) is a common olfactory disorder. Little is known about the pathophysiology of this disease. Previous studies demonstrated decreased olfactory bulb (OB) volume in IOL patients when compared with controls. The aim of our study was to investigate structural brain alterations in areas beyond the OB. We acquired T1-weighted magnetic resonance images from 16 patients with IOL and from 16 age- and sex-matched controls on a 3T scanner. Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) was performed using VBM8 toolbox and SPM8 in a Matlab environment. Psychophysical testing confirmed that patients had higher scores for Toyota and Takagi olfactometer and lower scores for Sniffin' Sticks olfactory test than controls (t = 46.9, P < 0.001 and t = 21.4, P < 0.001, respectively), consistent with olfactory dysfunction. There was a significant negative correlation between the 2 olfactory tests (r = -0.6, P = 0.01). In a volume of interest analysis including primary and secondary olfactory areas, we found patients with IOL to exhibit gray matter volume loss in the orbitofrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, insular cortex, parahippocampal cortex, and the piriform cortex. The present study indicates that changes in the central brain structures proximal to the OB occur in IOL. Further investigations of this phenomenon may be helpful to elucidate the etiology of IOL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linyin Yao
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Jayant Marian Pinto
- Section of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Xiaoli Yi
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Children's Hospital, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Li Li
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China and
| | - Peng Peng
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Yongxiang Wei
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100029, China,
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Ruigrok ANV, Salimi-Khorshidi G, Lai MC, Baron-Cohen S, Lombardo MV, Tait RJ, Suckling J. A meta-analysis of sex differences in human brain structure. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2013; 39:34-50. [PMID: 24374381 PMCID: PMC3969295 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2013.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 650] [Impact Index Per Article: 59.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2013] [Revised: 12/13/2013] [Accepted: 12/17/2013] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
This is the first meta-analysis of sex differences in the typical human brain. Regional sex differences overlap with areas implicated in psychiatric conditions. The amygdala, hippocampus, planum temporale and insula display sex differences. On average, males have larger brain volumes than females. Most articles providing sex differences in volume are in the ‘mature’ category.
The prevalence, age of onset, and symptomatology of many neuropsychiatric conditions differ between males and females. To understand the causes and consequences of sex differences it is important to establish where they occur in the human brain. We report the first meta-analysis of typical sex differences on global brain volume, a descriptive account of the breakdown of studies of each compartmental volume by six age categories, and whole-brain voxel-wise meta-analyses on brain volume and density. Gaussian-process regression coordinate-based meta-analysis was used to examine sex differences in voxel-based regional volume and density. On average, males have larger total brain volumes than females. Examination of the breakdown of studies providing total volumes by age categories indicated a bias towards the 18–59 year-old category. Regional sex differences in volume and tissue density include the amygdala, hippocampus and insula, areas known to be implicated in sex-biased neuropsychiatric conditions. Together, these results suggest candidate regions for investigating the asymmetric effect that sex has on the developing brain, and for understanding sex-biased neurological and psychiatric conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber N V Ruigrok
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Douglas House, 18B Trumpington Road, Cambridge CB2 8AH, United Kingdom.
| | - Gholamreza Salimi-Khorshidi
- Centre for Functional MRI of the Brain (FMRIB), Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, United Kingdom
| | - Meng-Chuan Lai
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Douglas House, 18B Trumpington Road, Cambridge CB2 8AH, United Kingdom; Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, No. 1 Jen-Ai Road Section 1, Taipei 10051, Taiwan
| | - Simon Baron-Cohen
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Douglas House, 18B Trumpington Road, Cambridge CB2 8AH, United Kingdom; Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Elizabeth House, Fulbourn Hospital, Cambridge CB21 5EF, United Kingdom
| | - Michael V Lombardo
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Douglas House, 18B Trumpington Road, Cambridge CB2 8AH, United Kingdom; Department of Psychology, University of Cyprus, P.O. Box 20537, CY 1678 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Roger J Tait
- Brain Mapping Unit, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Herchel Smith Building, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0SP, United Kingdom; Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EB, United Kingdom
| | - John Suckling
- Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Elizabeth House, Fulbourn Hospital, Cambridge CB21 5EF, United Kingdom; Brain Mapping Unit, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Herchel Smith Building, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0SP, United Kingdom; Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EB, United Kingdom
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Perfumers' expertise induces structural reorganization in olfactory brain regions. Neuroimage 2012; 68:55-62. [PMID: 23246995 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2012.11.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2012] [Revised: 11/12/2012] [Accepted: 11/16/2012] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The human brain's ability to adapt to environmental changes is obvious in specific sensory domains of experts, and olfaction is one of the least investigated senses. As we have previously demonstrated that olfactory expertise is related to functional brain modifications, we investigated here whether olfactory expertise is also coupled with structural changes. We used voxel-based morphometry to compare the gray-matter volume in student and professional perfumers, as well as untrained control subjects, and accounted for all methodological improvements that have been recently developed to limit possible errors associated with image processing. In all perfumers, we detected an increase in gray-matter volume in the bilateral gyrus rectus/medial orbital gyrus (GR/MOG), an orbitofrontal area that surrounds the olfactory sulcus. In addition, gray-matter volume in the anterior PC and left GR/MOG was positively correlated with experience in professional perfumers. We concluded that the acute olfactory knowledge acquired through extensive olfactory training leads to the structural reorganization of olfactory brain areas.
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Zubiaurre-Elorza L, Junque C, Gomez-Gil E, Segovia S, Carrillo B, Rametti G, Guillamon A. Cortical Thickness in Untreated Transsexuals. Cereb Cortex 2012; 23:2855-62. [DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhs267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Malaspina D, Goetz R, Keller A, Messinger JW, Bruder G, Goetz D, Opler M, Harlap S, Harkavy–Friedman J, Antonius D. Olfactory processing, sex effects and heterogeneity in schizophrenia. Schizophr Res 2012; 135:144-51. [PMID: 22177347 PMCID: PMC3288877 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2011.11.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2011] [Revised: 11/18/2011] [Accepted: 11/21/2011] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Smell identification deficits are associated with negative symptoms in schizophrenia, particularly in males. Far less information is known about the relationship of odor detection sensitivity (acuity) and negative symptoms in schizophrenia, and currently there is a dearth in sex-stratified research specifically examining odor sensitivity and smell identification. METHODS Fifty-eight individuals with schizophrenia and 42 healthy comparison subjects were assessed on tests of odor sensitivity, smell identification and cognition. Negative symptoms were assessed with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and the Schedule for the Deficit Syndrome. RESULTS In healthy males, increased odor detection sensitivity predicted better smell identification scores. In contrast, male schizophrenia patients showed a significant inverse relationship, in which increased odor sensitivity predicted lower smell identification scores. Odor sensitivity and smell identification were unrelated in both schizophrenia and healthy females. Olfactory processing was strongly linked to negative symptoms, but the relationships differed by sex. Emotional expression deficits were related to odor detection hypersensitivity in female patients, whereas smell identification deficits predicted these emotional deficits in male cases. CONCLUSION Sex differences in olfactory functioning were identified in healthy subjects and in schizophrenia patients. Smell identification was related to negative symptoms in males with schizophrenia, whereas odor detection sensitivity predicted these features in females. Sex differences should be considered in future analyses that employ odor stimuli for neuropsychiatric research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dolores Malaspina
- New York University School of Medicine, Institute for Social and Psychiatric Initiatives, 500 1st Avenue, NBV 22N10, New York, NY 10016, USA.
| | - Raymond Goetz
- New York University School of Medicine; Institute for Social and Psychiatric Initiatives (InSPIRES), 500 1st Avenue, NBV 22N10, New York, NY 10016, USA,New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Andreas Keller
- New York University School of Medicine; Institute for Social and Psychiatric Initiatives (InSPIRES), 500 1st Avenue, NBV 22N10, New York, NY 10016, USA,The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Julie W Messinger
- New York University School of Medicine; Institute for Social and Psychiatric Initiatives (InSPIRES), 500 1st Avenue, NBV 22N10, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Gerard Bruder
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Deborah Goetz
- New York University School of Medicine; Institute for Social and Psychiatric Initiatives (InSPIRES), 500 1st Avenue, NBV 22N10, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Mark Opler
- New York University School of Medicine; Institute for Social and Psychiatric Initiatives (InSPIRES), 500 1st Avenue, NBV 22N10, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Susan Harlap
- New York University School of Medicine; Institute for Social and Psychiatric Initiatives (InSPIRES), 500 1st Avenue, NBV 22N10, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | | | - Daniel Antonius
- New York University School of Medicine; Institute for Social and Psychiatric Initiatives (InSPIRES), 500 1st Avenue, NBV 22N10, New York, NY 10016, USA,University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York
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Smitka M, Puschmann S, Buschhueter D, Gerber J, Witt M, Honeycutt N, Abolmaali N, Hummel T. Is there a correlation between hippocampus and amygdala volume and olfactory function in healthy subjects? Neuroimage 2012; 59:1052-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2011.09.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2011] [Revised: 08/11/2011] [Accepted: 09/13/2011] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
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Demattè ML, Endrizzi I, Biasioli F, Corollaro ML, Zampini M, Gasperi F. Individual Variability in the Awareness of Odors: Demographic Parameters and Odor Identification Ability. CHEMOSENS PERCEPT 2011. [DOI: 10.1007/s12078-011-9103-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
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García-González DL, Vivancos J, Aparicio R. Mapping brain activity induced by olfaction of virgin olive oil aroma. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2011; 59:10200-10210. [PMID: 21838262 DOI: 10.1021/jf202106b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The difficulty of explaining sensory descriptors of virgin olive oil aroma by the analysis of volatile compounds is partially due to the subjective opinions of panelists and the lack of information of the neural mechanisms that ultimately produce a sensory perception. In this study the technique of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has been applied to study brain activity during the smelling of virgin olive oil of different qualities. The volatile compounds of the samples were analyzed by solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography to explain the differences in the aromas presented to the subjects during the fMRI experiments. Comparing the pleasant and unpleasant aromas, the most evident differences in brain activity were found at the anterior cingulate gyrus (Brodmann area 32) and at the temporal lobe (Brodmann area 38). The activations were also observed when subjects smelled dilutions of heptanal and hexanoic acid, both compounds being responsible for off-flavors. Other areas were inherent to the olfaction task (e.g., Brodmann area 10) and to the intensity of the aroma (Brodmann area 6).
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Rametti G, Carrillo B, Gómez-Gil E, Junque C, Zubiarre-Elorza L, Segovia S, Gomez Á, Guillamon A. The microstructure of white matter in male to female transsexuals before cross-sex hormonal treatment. A DTI study. J Psychiatr Res 2011; 45:949-54. [PMID: 21195418 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2010.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2010] [Revised: 10/26/2010] [Accepted: 11/10/2010] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) has been shown to be sensitive in detecting white matter differences between sexes. Before cross-sex hormone treatment female to male transsexuals (FtM) differ from females but not from males in several brain fibers. The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether white matter patterns in male to female (MtF) transsexuals before commencing cross-sex hormone treatment are also more similar to those of their biological sex or whether they are more similar to those of their gender identity. METHOD DTI was performed in 18 MtF transsexuals and 19 male and 19 female controls scanned with a 3 T Trio Tim Magneton. Fractional anisotropy (FA) was performed on white matter of the whole brain, which was spatially analyzed using Tract-Based Spatial Statistics. RESULTS MtF transsexuals differed from both male and female controls bilaterally in the superior longitudinal fasciculus, the right anterior cingulum, the right forceps minor, and the right corticospinal tract. CONCLUSIONS Our results show that the white matter microstructure pattern in untreated MtF transsexuals falls halfway between the pattern of male and female controls. The nature of these differences suggests that some fasciculi do not complete the masculinization process in MtF transsexuals during brain development.
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Rametti G, Carrillo B, Gómez-Gil E, Junque C, Segovia S, Gomez Á, Guillamon A. White matter microstructure in female to male transsexuals before cross-sex hormonal treatment. A diffusion tensor imaging study. J Psychiatr Res 2011; 45:199-204. [PMID: 20562024 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2010.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2010] [Revised: 05/10/2010] [Accepted: 05/10/2010] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Some gray and white matter regions of the brain are sexually dimorphic. The best MRI technique for identifying subtle differences in white matter is diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether white matter patterns in female to male (FtM) transsexuals before commencing cross-sex hormone treatment are more similar to that of their biological sex or to that of their gender identity. METHOD DTI was performed in 18 FtM transsexuals and 24 male and 19 female heterosexual controls scanned with a 3 T Trio Tim Magneton. Fractional anisotropy (FA) was performed on white matter fibers of the whole brain, which was spatially analyzed using Tract-Based Spatial Statistics. RESULTS In controls, males have significantly higher FA values than females in the medial and posterior parts of the right superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF), the forceps minor, and the corticospinal tract. Compared to control females, FtM showed higher FA values in posterior part of the right SLF, the forceps minor and corticospinal tract. Compared to control males, FtM showed only lower FA values in the corticospinal tract. CONCLUSIONS Our results show that the white matter microstructure pattern in untreated FtM transsexuals is closer to the pattern of subjects who share their gender identity (males) than those who share their biological sex (females). Our results provide evidence for an inherent difference in the brain structure of FtM transsexuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppina Rametti
- Clinical Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clinic i Provincial, Barcelona, Spain
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Raine A, Yang Y, Narr KL, Toga AW. Sex differences in orbitofrontal gray as a partial explanation for sex differences in antisocial personality. Mol Psychiatry 2011; 16:227-36. [PMID: 20029391 PMCID: PMC3008752 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2009.136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Attention is increasingly being given to understanding sex difference in psychopathology to better understand the etiology of disorders. This study tests the hypothesis that sex differences in ventral and middle frontal gray volume contribute to sex differences in antisocial personality disorder (APD) and crime. Participants were recruited from temporary employment agencies, consisting of normal controls, substance/alcohol-dependent controls, axis I/II psychiatric controls and individuals with APD. An independent sample of female volunteers was also recruited. Magnetic resonance imaging volumes of superior frontal, middle frontal, inferior frontal, orbital frontal and rectal gyral frontal gray matter, and dimensional scores of APD and criminal behavior were assessed. APD males when compared with male controls showed an 8.7% reduction in orbitofrontal gray volume, a 17.3% reduction in middle frontal gray and a 16.1% reduction in right rectal gray. Reduced middle and orbitofrontal volumes were significantly associated with increased APD symptoms and criminal offending in both males and females. Males as a whole had reduced orbitofrontal and middle frontal gray volume when compared with females, and controlling for these brain differences reduced the gender difference in the antisocial personality/behavior by 77.3%. Findings were not a function of psychiatric comorbidity, psychosocial risk factors, head injury or trauma exposure. Findings implicate structural differences in the ventral and middle frontal gray as both a risk factor for APD and as a partial explanation for sex differences in APD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Raine
- Departments of Criminology, Psychiatry, and Psychology, University of Pennsylvania
| | - Yaling Yang
- Laboratory of Neuro Imaging, Department of Neurology, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Katherine L. Narr
- Laboratory of Neuro Imaging, Department of Neurology, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Arthur W. Toga
- Laboratory of Neuro Imaging, Department of Neurology, University of California, Los Angeles
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Pletzer B, Kronbichler M, Aichhorn M, Bergmann J, Ladurner G, Kerschbaum HH. Menstrual cycle and hormonal contraceptive use modulate human brain structure. Brain Res 2010; 1348:55-62. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2010.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2010] [Revised: 06/07/2010] [Accepted: 06/08/2010] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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Bitter T, Gudziol H, Burmeister HP, Mentzel HJ, Guntinas-Lichius O, Gaser C. Anosmia Leads to a Loss of Gray Matter in Cortical Brain Areas. Chem Senses 2010; 35:407-15. [DOI: 10.1093/chemse/bjq028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
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MICHON C, O'SULLIVAN M, DELAHUNTY C, KERRY J. THE INVESTIGATION OF GENDER-RELATED SENSITIVITY DIFFERENCES IN FOOD PERCEPTION. J SENS STUD 2009. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1745-459x.2009.00245.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Welborn BL, Papademetris X, Reis DL, Rajeevan N, Bloise SM, Gray JR. Variation in orbitofrontal cortex volume: relation to sex, emotion regulation and affect. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2009; 4:328-39. [PMID: 20019072 PMCID: PMC2799952 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsp028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2008] [Accepted: 07/14/2009] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex differences in brain structure have been examined extensively but are not completely understood, especially in relation to possible functional correlates. Our two aims in this study were to investigate sex differences in brain structure, and to investigate a possible relation between orbitofrontal cortex subregions and affective individual differences. We used tensor-based morphometry to estimate local brain volume from MPRAGE images in 117 healthy right-handed adults (58 female), age 18-40 years. We entered estimates of local brain volume as the dependent variable in a GLM, controlling for age, intelligence and whole-brain volume. Men had larger left planum temporale. Women had larger ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), right lateral orbitofrontal (rlOFC), cerebellum, and bilateral basal ganglia and nearby white matter. vmPFC but not rlOFC volume covaried with self-reported emotion regulation strategies (reappraisal, suppression), expressivity of positive emotions (but not of negative), strength of emotional impulses, and cognitive but not somatic anxiety. vmPFC volume statistically mediated sex differences in emotion suppression. The results confirm prior reports of sex differences in orbitofrontal cortex structure, and are the first to show that normal variation in vmPFC volume is systematically related to emotion regulation and affective individual differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- B. Locke Welborn
- Department of Psychology, UCLA, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Department of Psychology and Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University
| | - Xenophon Papademetris
- Department of Psychology, UCLA, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Department of Psychology and Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University
| | - Deidre L. Reis
- Department of Psychology, UCLA, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Department of Psychology and Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University
| | - Nallakkandi Rajeevan
- Department of Psychology, UCLA, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Department of Psychology and Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University
| | - Suzanne M. Bloise
- Department of Psychology, UCLA, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Department of Psychology and Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University
| | - Jeremy R. Gray
- Department of Psychology, UCLA, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Department of Psychology and Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University
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Frasnelli J, Lundström JN, Boyle JA, Djordjevic J, Zatorre RJ, Jones-Gotman M. Neuroanatomical correlates of olfactory performance. Exp Brain Res 2009; 201:1-11. [DOI: 10.1007/s00221-009-1999-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2009] [Accepted: 08/17/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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40
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Doty RL, Cameron EL. Sex differences and reproductive hormone influences on human odor perception. Physiol Behav 2009; 97:213-28. [PMID: 19272398 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2009.02.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 280] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2009] [Revised: 01/29/2009] [Accepted: 02/20/2009] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The question of whether men and women differ in their ability to smell has been the topic of scientific investigation for over a hundred years. Although conflicting findings abound, most studies suggest that, for at least some odorants, women outperform men on tests of odor detection, identification, discrimination, and memory. Most functional imaging and electrophysiological studies similarly imply that, when sex differences are present, they favor women. In this review we examine what is known about sex-related alterations in human smell function, including influences of the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, gonadectomy, and hormone replacement therapy on a range of olfactory measures. We conclude that the relationship between reproductive hormones and human olfactory function is complex and that simple associations between circulating levels of gonadal hormones and measures of olfactory function are rarely present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard L Doty
- Smell & Taste Center, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia PA 19104, USA.
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Bibliography. Current world literature. Growth and development. Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes 2008; 15:79-101. [PMID: 18185067 DOI: 10.1097/med.0b013e3282f4f084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Tubaldi F, Ansuini C, Tirindelli R, Castiello U. Odours Grab His Hand but Not Hers. Perception 2008; 37:1886-9. [DOI: 10.1068/p6286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Gender is important for the determination of olfactory abilities. Previous reports on gender differences in human odour perception claimed that the sensitivity and discrimination ability of females for odours is superior to that of males. Evolutionary theories, however, open up the possibility of an interesting dissociation between females and males in terms of odour processing: there is an advantage for women for the perceptual aspects of olfactory stimuli and an advantage for men when translating perceptual olfactory information into action. In line with this hypothesis our observations suggest that encoding odours has the ability to guide the movement of males but not that of females.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Roberto Tirindelli
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Parma, Via Volturno 39/3, I 43100 Parma, Italy
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Ponseti J, Siebner HR, Klöppel S, Wolff S, Granert O, Jansen O, Mehdorn HM, Bosinski HA. Homosexual women have less grey matter in perirhinal cortex than heterosexual women. PLoS One 2007; 2:e762. [PMID: 17712410 PMCID: PMC1942120 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0000762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2007] [Accepted: 07/23/2007] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Is sexual orientation associated with structural differences in the brain? To address this question, 80 homosexual and heterosexual men and women (16 homosexual men and 15 homosexual women) underwent structural MRI. We used voxel-based morphometry to test for differences in grey matter concentration associated with gender and sexual orientation. Compared with heterosexual women, homosexual women displayed less grey matter bilaterally in the temporo-basal cortex, ventral cerebellum, and left ventral premotor cortex. The relative decrease in grey matter was most prominent in the left perirhinal cortex. The left perirhinal area also showed less grey matter in heterosexual men than in heterosexual women. Thus, in homosexual women, the perirhinal cortex grey matter displayed a more male-like structural pattern. This is in accordance with previous research that revealed signs of sex-atypical prenatal androgenization in homosexual women, but not in homosexual men. The relevance of the perirhinal area for high order multimodal (olfactory and visual) object, social, and sexual processing is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Ponseti
- Section of Sexual Medicine, Christian-Albrechts University, Kiel, Germany.
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