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6797459 
Journal Article 
Review 
Sex differences in brain and behavior in adolescence: Findings from the Philadelphia Neurodevelopmental Cohort 
Man, SiM; Gur, RE; Gur, RC 
2016 
1 
Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews
ISSN: 0149-7634
EISSN: 1873-7528 
70 
159-170 
English 
27498084 
WOS:000386981900013 
Sex differences in brain and behavior were investigated across the lifespan. Parameters include neurobehavioral measures linkable to neuroanatomic and neurophysiologic indicators of brain structure and function. Sexual differentiation of behavior has been related to organizational factors during sensitive periods of development, with adolescence and puberty gaining increased attention. Adolescence is a critical developmental period where transition to adulthood is impacted by multiple factors that can enhance vulnerability to brain dysfunction. Here we highlight sex differences in neurobehavioral measures in adolescence that are linked to brain function. We summarize neuroimaging studies examining brain structure, connectivity and perfusion, underscoring the relationship to sex differences in behavioral measures and commenting on hormonal findings. We focus on relevant data from the Philadelphia Neurodevelopmental Cohort (PNC), a community-based sample of nearly 10,000 clinically and neurocognitively phenotyped youths age 8-21 of whom 1600 have received multimodal neuroimaging. These data indicate early and pervasive sexual differentiation in neurocognitive measures that is linkable to brain parameters. We conclude by describing possible clinical implications. 
Neurocognition; Sexual differentiation; Brain structure; Brain function; Neurodevelopment