Gene Expression in Male and Female Brains Shows Sex Differences of Brain Disorder

It's no surprise that male and females think a bit differently. However, a new study shows that gene expression seen in brain and spinal cord injuries may operate differently depending on gender. 

According to researchers from the UCL Institute of Neurology, they found that examining post-mortem adult human brain and spinal cord samples in over 100 individuals showed that every gene was expressed differently throughout the 12 brain regions depending on the sex of the participant.

For instance, study authors note that gender differences accounted for 2.5 percent of all gene expression for major brain regions.

More specifically, researchers looked at the gene NRXN3, which has been implicated in autism. The gene is transcribed into two major forms-one of which presents itself similarly in both genders, and the other, which is produced at lower levels in women via the thalamus.

Researchers believe this observation could provide important information for understanding the higher incidence rate of autism in males.

"There is strong evidence to show that men and women differ in terms of their susceptibility to neurological diseases, but up until now the basis of that difference has been unclear," Dr. Mina Ryten, UCL Institute of Neurology and senior study author said, via a press release. "Our study provides the most complete information so far on how the sexes differ in terms of how their genes are expressed in the brain. We have released our data so that others can assess how any gene they are interested in is expressed differently between men and women."

More information regarding the study can be found via the journal Nature Communications.