Sex Differences in Excitatory and Inhibitory Function in the Primary Somatosensory Cortex during the Early Follicular Phase: A Preliminary Study

Background and objectives: We examined sex differences in the excitatory and inhibitory functions of the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) between males and females during the early follicular phase, when estradiol hormones are unaffected. Methods: Fifty participants (25 males and 25 females) underwent measurement of somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) and paired-pulse inhibition (PPI) in the S1; SEPs and PPI were elicited by constant current square-wave pulses (0.2 ms duration) delivered to the right median nerve by electrical stimulation. Paired-pulse stimulation occurred at 30- and 100-ms interstimulus intervals. Participants were randomly presented with 1500 (500 stimuli each) single- and paired-pulse stimuli at 2 Hz. Results: The N20 amplitude was significantly larger in female subjects than in male subjects, and the PPI-30 ms was significantly potentiated in female subjects compared to that in male subjects. Conclusions: The excitatory and inhibitory functions in S1 differ between male and female subjects, at least during the early follicular phase.