Sex differences in the neural basis of theory of mind during development

Abstract

Introduction

Theory of mind (ToM) is the ability to predict behaviors of others in terms of their underlying mental states. It is carried out in order to make sense of and predict behavior. Impairments in ToM have been found in many psychiatric/neurological disorders including schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders. Previous research has indicated sex difference in ToM development. Previous research has also found some differences in the neural basis of ToM.

Objectives/aims

An objective/aim of the present study was to examine possible sex differences in the neural mechanism associated with ToM development. Another objective was to examine the neural basis of ToM that is shared by both sexes throughout development.

Methods

Thirty-two adults (16 women) and 24 children (12 girls) were assessed with fMRI while performing a false belief (FB) task.

Results

During the ToM relative to non-ToM condition, adults and children of both sexes showed increased activity in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and the temporo-parietal junction (TPJ). Both boys and girls recruited more brain regions than adults. Moreover, children employed structures involved in the human mirror neuron system (hMNS) more than adults. More specifically, boys recruited the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) more than men, while girls recruited the precentral gyrus more than women.

Conclusions

These results suggest that boys/men and girls/women employ different brain regions for ToM during development.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.