Sex Differences in Variability for Cognitive Measures

2009 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. 612-614 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Turkheimer ◽  
Diane F. Halpern
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Mental Retardation ◽  
X Chromosome ◽  
Causal Explanation ◽  
High Ability ◽  
Cognitive Measures ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Average Intelligence ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Mean Differences

Theories about the origin of cognitive sex differences must address differences in three portions of ability distributions: low-tail variability, high-tail variability, and mean values. In addition, genetic theories must provide evidence that these three types of differences are (at least in large part) caused by alleles that are located on the X chromosome. It is well established that there are more mentally retarded males than females, and this disparity is attributable to genes located on the X chromosome. By contrast, there are no known “intelligence genes” that can provide a parallel explanation for differences in variability in the high ability tail of distributions. Mean differences between males and females also defy any X-linked hypothesis about average intelligence because females and males excel on different cognitive measures. Thus, we conclude that X-linked genetic explanations of cognitive sex differences can only be substantiated as a causal explanation for the excess of males diagnosed with mental retardation.

A Role for the X Chromosome in Sex Differences in Variability in General Intelligence?

2009 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. 598-611 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy Johnson ◽  
Andrew Carothers ◽  
Ian J. Deary
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Mental Retardation ◽  
X Chromosome ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Population Distribution ◽  
Population Variation ◽  
General Intelligence ◽  
Substantial Evidence ◽  
Normal Distributions ◽  
Intellectual Abilities

There is substantial evidence that males are more variable than females in general intelligence. In recent years, researchers have presented this as a reason that, although there is little, if any, mean sex difference in general intelligence, males tend to be overrepresented at both ends of its overall distribution. Part of the explanation could be the presence of genes on the X chromosome related both to syndromal disorders involving mental retardation and to population variation in general intelligence occurring normally. Genes on the X chromosome appear overrepresented among genes with known involvement in mental retardation, which is consistent with a model we developed of the population distribution of general intelligence as a mixture of two normal distributions. Using this model, we explored the expected ratios of males to females at various points in the distribution and estimated the proportion of variance in general intelligence potentially due to genes on the X chromosome. These estimates provide clues to the extent to which biologically based sex differences could be manifested in the environment as sex differences in displayed intellectual abilities. We discuss these observations in the context of sex differences in specific cognitive abilities and evolutionary theories of sexual selection.

scholarly journals X-linked diseases: susceptible females

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. 1156-1174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara R. Migeon
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
X Chromosome ◽  
Congenital Abnormalities ◽  
X Inactivation ◽  
Intellectual Deficiency ◽  
Heart Blood ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
The Way

AbstractThe role of X-inactivation is often ignored as a prime cause of sex differences in disease. Yet, the way males and females express their X-linked genes has a major role in the dissimilar phenotypes that underlie many rare and common disorders, such as intellectual deficiency, epilepsy, congenital abnormalities, and diseases of the heart, blood, skin, muscle, and bones. Summarized here are many examples of the different presentations in males and females. Other data include reasons why women are often protected from the deleterious variants carried on their X chromosome, and the factors that render women susceptible in some instances.

Size-At-Age Variability and Sexual Dimorphism of Morphometric Characteristics in the Late Ontogenesis of the Marsh Frog, Pelophylax Ridibundus (Anura, Ranidae), from Terrytory of Crimea

2019 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 325-334
Author(s):  
V. N. Peskov ◽  
N. A. Petrenko ◽  
V. Yu. Reminnyi
Keyword(s):  
Age Groups ◽  
The Body ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Morphometric Characteristics ◽  
Morphometric Characters ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Marsh Frog ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Size At Age ◽  
Linear Body

Abstract We study size-at-age and sexual variability of morphometric characteristics of the marsh frog. According to the size of the body, males were divided into three size-age groups (juvenis, subadultus, adultus), females — into four groups (juvenis, subadultus, adultus, adultus-I). We found that the chronological age of frogs (skeletochronology) does not always correspond to their biological age (size and proportions of the body). We noted that the semi-adult males are reliably larger than females by mean values of 26 studied morphometric characters. Males and females of “adultus” group do not differ by linear body size, significant differences were found in body proportions (7 characters). For the females of “adultus-I” group, the mean values of 26 characters are significantly larger than for “adultus” males. The results of our study showed that with the age of the marsh frog, the level of exhibition, directionality and structure of morphometric sex differences changes.

scholarly journals Sex Difference in Self-Reported Sexual Functioning Among Frail Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 313-313
Author(s):  
Brianne Olivieri-Mui ◽  
Sandra Shi ◽  
Ellen McCarthy ◽  
Dae Kim
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Sexual Function ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Sexual Functioning ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Males And Females

Abstract Frailty may differentially impact how older adult males and females perceive sexual functioning, an important part of well-being. We assessed the level of frailty (robust, pre-frail, frail) for anyone with data on 11 sexual functioning questions asked in wave 2 of the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project, 2010-2011 (n=2060). Questions covered five domains: overall sexual function (OSF), sexual function anxiety (SFA), changes in sexual function (CSF), erectile/vaginal dysfunction (EVD), and masturbation. Logistic regression identified sex differences in frailty and reporting worse sexual functioning. Linear regression predicted the number of domains reported as worse. Among males (n=1057), pre-frailty meant higher odds of reporting SFA (OR 1.8 95%CI 1.2-6.6), CSF (OR 1.7 95%CI 1.1-2.7), and EVD (OR 1.5 95%CI 1.0-2.2). Among females (n=1003), there was no difference in reporting by frailty. Females were more likely to report worse OSF (Robust: OR 7.4, 95%CI 4.8-11.4; Pre-frail: OR 6.2, 95%CI 3.9-9.9; Frail: OR 3.4 95%CI 1.7-6.6), but less likely to report SFA (Robust OR .3, 95%CI .2-.5; Pre-frail OR .2, 95%CI .1-.3; Frail OR .2 95%CI .1-.3). Pre-frail and frail females reported fewer domains as worse (Pre-frail coefficient -0.21 SE 0.09, Frail -0.43 SE 0.14). As frailty worsened, males reported more domains as worse (Pre-frail 0.24 SE 0.07, Frail 0.29 SE 0.08). Self-reported sexual functioning differs by sex at all levels of frailty, and reporting by males, but not females, changes with frailty. Providers should be aware that sexual functioning is of importance to both sexes despite varying degrees of frailty.

scholarly journals Stem cell treatment improves post stroke neurological outcomes: a comparative study in male and female rats

2021 ◽  
pp. svn-2020-000834
Author(s):  
Koteswara Rao Nalamolu ◽  
Bharath Chelluboina ◽  
Casimir A Fornal ◽  
Siva Reddy Challa ◽  
David M Pinson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Motor Function ◽  
Infarct Volume ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Human Umbilical Cord ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Post Stroke ◽  
Male And Female Rats ◽  
Males And Females

Background and purposeThe therapeutic potential of different stem cells for ischaemic stroke treatment is intriguing and somewhat controversial. Recent results from our laboratory have demonstrated the potential benefits of human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in a rodent stroke model. We hypothesised that MSC treatment would effectively promote the recovery of sensory and motor function in both males and females, despite any apparent sex differences in post stroke brain injury.MethodsTransient focal cerebral ischaemia was induced in adult Sprague-Dawley rats by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. Following the procedure, male and female rats of the untreated group were euthanised 1 day after reperfusion and their brains were used to estimate the resulting infarct volume and tissue swelling. Additional groups of stroke-induced male and female rats were treated with MSC or vehicle and were subsequently subjected to a battery of standard neurological/neurobehavioral tests (Modified Neurological Severity Score assessment, adhesive tape removal, beam walk and rotarod). The tests were administered at regular intervals (at days 1, 3, 5, 7 and 14) after reperfusion to determine the time course of neurological and functional recovery after stroke.ResultsThe infarct volume and extent of swelling of the ischaemic brain were similar in males and females. Despite similar pathological stroke lesions, the clinical manifestations of stroke were more pronounced in males than females, as indicated by the neurological scores and other tests. MSC treatment significantly improved the recovery of sensory and motor function in both sexes, and it demonstrated efficacy in both moderate stroke (females) and severe stroke (males).ConclusionsDespite sex differences in the severity of post stroke outcomes, MSC treatment promoted the recovery of sensory and motor function in male and female rats, suggesting that it may be a promising treatment for stroke.

scholarly journals OP0013 SEX DIFFERENCES IN AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE SUSCEPTIBILITY; A MULTI-OMIC APPROACH

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 8.1-8
Author(s):  
G. Robinson ◽  
K. Waddington ◽  
J. Peng ◽  
A. Radziszewska ◽  
H. Peckham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Lipid Metabolism ◽  
Sex Hormones ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Hormone Treatment ◽  
Immune Cell Function ◽  
Immune Cell Subsets ◽  
Males And Females

Background:Males and females have altered immune responses resulting in variation in autoimmune and cardiovascular disease risk (CVR). Recently, these differences have played a role in the inflammatory response to COVID-19. Sex differences exist in the frequency and activity of immune-cell subsets but mechanisms underlying sexual dimorphism remain unknown. Juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE) is an autoimmune disorder that commonly emerges during puberty, has a strong female prevalence (female:male ratio, 4.5:1) and results in an increased CVR. JSLE is characterised by chronic inflammation and dyslipidaemia, where cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of mortality for patients. Our previous work identified a link between immune cell function and lipid metabolism in adult-onset SLE. We hypothesised that sex hormones could influence both lipid metabolism and immune cell function and this could determine sex-specific susceptibility to JSLE and associated CVR.Objectives:We investigated the role of sex hormones in modifying systemic lipid metabolism and inflammation.Methods:Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy based serum metabolomics measuring over 130 lipoproteins (14-subsets with lipid compositions), flow cytometry measuring immune-cells, and RNA-sequencing were used to assess the metabolic and immune profile in young, pre/post-pubertal males (n=10/17) and females (n=10/23) and in individuals with gender-dysphoria (GD) under cross-hormone treatment (trans-male/female, n=26/25). This analysis was also performed on a cohort of post-pubertal male (n=12) and female (n=23) JSLE patients. Data was analysed by logistic regression, balanced random forest machine learning (BRF-ML), differential gene expression (DEG) and pathway analysis.Results:Post-pubertal males had significantly reduced cardio-protective high-density lipoprotein (HDL) subsets (p<0.0001) and increased cardio-pathogenic very-low-density lipoprotein subsets (p<0.0001) compared to females. These differences were not observed pre-puberty and were reversed significantly by cross-hormone treatment in GD individuals, suggesting that sex hormones regulate lipid metabolism in-vivo.BRF-ML (28 immune-cell subsets) identified an increased frequency of anti-inflammatory regulatory T-cells (Tregs) in post-pubertal males compared to females (p=0.0097). These Tregs were also more suppressive in males compared to females. Differences in Treg frequency were seen pre-puberty and were not altered by sex hormone treatment in GD individuals. However, Treg DEGs and functional transcriptomic pathways altered between post-pubertal males and females, including those involved in inflammatory signalling, overlapped with those altered by hormones in GD, suggesting hormones may also drive Treg functional changes. In addition, HDL metabolites modified by hormones showed differential associations with Treg phenotypes between post-pubertal males and females.Strikingly, sex differences in lipoproteins and Tregs were lost in JSLE, suggesting hormone signalling could be dysregulated in the pathogenesis of autoimmunity and could increase CVR for patients.Conclusion:Sex hormones drive altered lipoprotein metabolism and functional transcriptomic pathways in Tregs. Males have a lipoprotein profile associated with increased CVR, but a more anti-inflammatory immune profile compared to females. Together, this could explain sex differences in inflammatory disease susceptibilities and inform future sex-specific therapeutic strategies for the management of both JSLE and CVR.Acknowledgements:Lupus UKRosetrees TrustVersus ArthritisNIHR UCLH Biomedical Research CentreDisclosure of Interests:None declared

scholarly journals A novel device for detecting anaerobic threshold using sweat lactate during exercise

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuta Seki ◽  
Daisuke Nakashima ◽  
Yasuyuki Shiraishi ◽  
Toshinobu Ryuzaki ◽  
Hidehiko Ikura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lactate Threshold ◽  
Ventilatory Threshold ◽  
Recovery Period ◽  
Lactate Concentration ◽  
Continuous Increase ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Novel Device ◽  
Mean Differences ◽  
Lactate Sensor

AbstractThe lactate threshold (LT1), which is defined as the first rise in lactate concentration during incremental exercise, has not been non-invasively and conveniently determined in a clinical setting. We aimed to visualize changes in lactate concentration in sweat during exercise using our wearable lactate sensor and investigate the relationship between the lactate threshold (LT1) and ventilatory threshold (VT1). Twenty-three healthy subjects and 42 patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) were enrolled. During exercise, the dynamic changes in lactate values in sweat were visualized in real-time with a sharp continuous increase up to volitional exhaustion and a gradual decrease during the recovery period. The LT1 in sweat was well correlated with the LT1 in blood and the VT1 (r = 0.92 and 0.71, respectively). In addition, the Bland–Altman plot described no bias between the mean values (mean differences: − 4.5 and 2.5 W, respectively). Continuous monitoring of lactate concentrations during exercise can provide additional information for detecting the VT1.

scholarly journals Sex differences in outcomes after arthroscopic bankart repair

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. e000965
Author(s):  
Natalie A Lowenstein ◽  
Peter J Ostergaard ◽  
Daniel B Haber ◽  
Kirsten D Garvey ◽  
Elizabeth G Matzkin
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Patient Reported Outcomes ◽  
Strength Function ◽  
Bankart Repair ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Arthroscopic Bankart Repair ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Males And Females

ObjectivesRisk factors for anterior shoulder dislocation include young age, contact activities and male sex. The influence of sex on patient-reported outcomes of arthroscopic Bankart repair (ABR) is unclear, with few studies reporting potential differences. This study’s purpose was to compare patient-reported outcomes of males and females following ABR.MethodsProspectively collected data was analysed for 281 patients (males: 206, females: 75) after ABR with preoperative, 1-year and 2-year follow-up responses. The Wilcoxon signed-rank and χ2 tests, preoperative, 1 year and 2 year follow-up results were examined to determine differences of scores in males versus females.ResultsNo statistically significant sex differences were observed in Simple Shoulder Test (SST), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) or Single Assessment Numerical Evaluation (SANE) Scores at 1-year or 2-year follow-up. Females had lower Veterans RAND 12-item health survey (VR-12) mental health subscores at 2-year follow-up (females: 52.3±9.0, males: 55.8±7.6, p=0.0016). Females were more likely to report that treatment had ‘exceeded expectations’ at 2-year follow-up regarding motion, strength, function and normal sports activities.ConclusionResults of study demonstrate that ABR has similar outcomes for both males and females. There were no statistically significant sex-related differences in SST, ASES, VAS or SANE scores following ABR. VR-12 mental health subscores showed a minimal difference at 2-year follow-up, with lower scores in females.Level of evidenceRetrospective cohort study; level II.

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