Sex differences in brain metabolite concentrations in healthy children – proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy study ((1)HMRS)

PURPOSE: The aim of this (1)HMRS study was to define sex-related differences in metabolic spectrum between healthy children. Forty-nine girls and boys aged 6-15 years were examined. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Volume of interest was located in seven brain regions: frontal lobes, basal ganglia, hippocampi, and cerebellum. RESULTS: Statistical analysis of the results showed significantly higher (p < 0.05) myo-inositol concentrations relative to the total concentrations in the boys than the girls, as well as higher absolute N-acetyl aspartate concentrations in the left frontal lobes in girls. No other significant differences were shown, except for trends in differences. CONCLUSIONS: In clinical practice the diagnostic process first of all focuses on assessing concentrations of metabolites to relative cerebellum concentration. Thus, the findings of the present study allow the conclusion that when analysing the results of (1)HMRS studies in children it is not necessary to take into account the child’s gender.