Note. Brain activation images (p < 0.05 threshold;
FDR-corrected at cluster level) are displayed in coronal, sagittal,
axial and multi-planar slices on the UNC neonate template. Color bars
represent T-scores.
Figure 2. Differences between males and females.
2a. Differences in brain activations (brushing > rest)
between males and females (p < 0.01 threshold; FDR-corrected).
Females exhibited stronger neural activation to gentle-skin stroking in
bilateral-OFC, right ventral and bilateral inferior striatum, pons and
cerebellum.
2b. Differences in PPI connectivity networks (p < 0.01
threshold; FDR-corrected). Females exhibited stronger PPI connectivity
networks between left-OFC and bilateral somatosensory, bilateral middle
cingulate and precuneus cortices compared to males.
Color bars represent T-scores. Images of brain activation are displayed
in coronal, sagittal, axial and multi-planar slices on the UNC neonate
template.
GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
- Females had larger BOLD responses (brushing vs. rest) in bilateral
orbitofrontal cortex, right ventral striatum and bilateral inferior
striatum, pons and cerebellum compared to males.
- Sex differences in social touch neural responses may have major
ramifications for later brain, cognitive and social development.
- Many of the sexually dimorphic brain responses were subcortical, not
captured by surface-based neuroimaging, indicating that fMRI will be a
relevant technique for future studies.