Sexual differentiation of the brain

Description

"Sexual difference in the brain has long been one of the more intriguing research areas in the field of neuroscience. This thorough and comprehensive text uncovers and explains recent neurobiological and molecular biological studies in the field of neuroscience as they relate to the mechanisms underlying sexual differentiation of the brain. Attempts have been made to clarify sex differences in the human brain using noninvasive techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging. Sexual Differentiation of the Brain thoroughly examines these techniques and findings, providing an up-to-date, comprehensive overview written by leading researchers in the field. Just a few of the topics addressed include genetic contributions to the sexual differentiation of behavior; in-vitro studies of the effects of estrogen on estrogen receptor-transfected neuroblastoma cells; and the evolution of brain mechanisms controlling sexual behavior. Other topics include sexual differentiation of neural circuitry in the hypothalamus; structural sex differences in the mammalian brain; and sexual differentiation of cognitive functions in humans. With its revealing and informative chapters, as well as provocative treatment of the subject matter, Sexual Differentiation of the Brain helps shed new light on one of the most fascinating areas of brain research."--Provided by publisher. Read more... Abstract: "Sexual difference in the brain has long been one of the more intriguing research areas in the field of neuroscience. This thorough and comprehensive text uncovers and explains recent neurobiological and molecular biological studies in the field of neuroscience as they relate to the mechanisms underlying sexual differentiation of the brain. Attempts have been made to clarify sex differences in the human brain using noninvasive techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging. Sexual Differentiation of the Brain thoroughly examines these techniques and findings, providing an up-to-date, comprehensive overview written by leading researchers in the field. Just a few of the topics addressed include genetic contributions to the sexual differentiation of behavior; in-vitro studies of the effects of estrogen on estrogen receptor-transfected neuroblastoma cells; and the evolution of brain mechanisms controlling sexual behavior. Other topics include sexual differentiation of neural circuitry in the hypothalamus; structural sex differences in the mammalian brain; and sexual differentiation of cognitive functions in humans. With its revealing and informative chapters, as well as provocative treatment of the subject matter, Sexual Differentiation of the Brain helps shed new light on one of the most fascinating areas of brain research."--Provided by publisher Content: Ch. 1. Sexual differentiation of the brain: a historical review -- Ch. 2. Genetic contributions to the sexual differentiation of behavior -- Ch. 3. In vitro study for effects of estrogen on estrogen receptor-transfected neuroblastoma cells -- Ch. 4. Steroid metabolism in the brain: role in sexual differentiation -- Ch. 5. Estrogen in gender-specific neural differentiation -- Ch. 6. Glial cells are involved in organizational and activational effects of sex hormones in the brain -- Ch. 7. Sex steroids and weakly electric fish: a model system for activational mechanisms of hormone action -- Ch. 8. Evolution of brain mechanisms controlling sexual behavior -- Ch. 9. Hormonal and nonhormonal mechanisms of sexual differentiation of the zebra finch brain: embracing the null hypothesis -- Ch. 10. Sexual differentiation of a neuromuscular system -- Ch. 11. Development of sexually dimorphic forebrain pathways -- Ch. 12. Sexual differentiation of neuronal circuitry in the hypothalamus -- Ch. 13. Structural sex differences in the mammalian brain: reconsidering the male/female dichotomy -- Ch. 14. Gonadal hormones and sexual differntiation of human behavior: effects of psychosexual and cognitive development -- Ch. 15. Sexual differentiation of spatial functions in humans -- Ch. 16. The luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone system in the developing monkey brain.