Sex-dependent differences in animal cognition

The takeaway

Animal cognition is heavily influenced by sex. Rodent studies show consistent differences in memory and executive functions, driven by hormones, stress, and brain circuitry.

The science

Rodent studies consistently show sex-based differences in cognition across various areas. In spatial tasks, males tend to use hippocampal strategies, while females often prefer striatal ones; estrogen improves spatial learning, whereas testosterone’s effects depend on dose and context. Recognition memory is usually equal or better in females, especially when estrogen levels are high, with signaling pathways like ERK, NMDA, and TrkB involved. Emotional memory also varies, with females exhibiting stronger fear conditioning and generalization through amygdala activity, while males rely more on hippocampal circuits. In executive functions, females generally perform better in attention but may have less flexibility under stress, with working memory being similar between sexes. Strain, stress sensitivity, and hormonal cycles remain important factors complicating interpretation.

Why it matters

Accounting for sex differences in cognition enhances translational neuroscience and aids the development of therapies tailored to both women and men.

Orginal article

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105374