Differential brainstem connectivity according to sex and menopausal status in healthy male and female individuals.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Brainstem nuclei play a critical role in both ascending monoaminergic modulation of cortical function and arousal, and in descending bulbospinal pain modulation. Even though sex-related differences in the function of both systems have been reported in animal models, a complete understanding of sex differences, as well as menopausal effects, in brainstem connectivity in humans is lacking. This study evaluated resting-state connectivity of the dorsal raphe nucleus, right and left locus coeruleus complex (LCC), and periaqueductal gray (PAG) according to sex and menopausal status in healthy individuals. In addition, relationships between systemic estrogen levels and brainstem-network connectivity were examined in a subset of participants.

Methods

Resting-state fMRI wa

SUBMITTER: Kilpatrick LA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12007138 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature