Few sex differences in regional gray matter volume growth trajectories across early childhood

Sex-specific developmental differences in brain structure have been documented in older children and adolescents, with females generally showing smaller overall brain volumes and earlier peak ages than males. However, sex differences in gray matter structural development in early childhood are less studied. We characterized sex-specific trajectories of gray matter volume development in children aged 2–8 years.

Citation:
Long M, Ostertag C, Reynolds JE, Zheng J, et al. Few sex differences in regional gray matter volume growth trajectories across early childhood. Imaging Neurosci. 2024;2:1-26.

Keywords:
Brain development, structural MRI, gray matter volume, development trajectories, early childhood, sex differences

Abstract:
Sex-specific developmental differences in brain structure have been documented in older children and adolescents, with females generally showing smaller overall brain volumes and earlier peak ages than males. However, sex differences in gray matter structural development in early childhood are less studied. We characterized sex-specific trajectories of gray matter volume development in children aged 2–8 years.