Sex differences and lateralization in temporal lobe glucose metabolism during mathematical reasoning

Abstract
Positron Emission Tomography with [18F]deoxyglucose was used to compare brain activation in men and women while they performed mathematical reasoning. Right greater than left‐hemisphere activation was predicted, especially in temporal lobes. Forty‐four participants were selected and matched for high or average Scholastic Aptitude Test‐Math scores. There were no sex differences in cortical glucose metabolic rate (GMR). However, GMR in temporal lobe regions was positively correlated with math reasoning score in men but not in women. The temporal lobes, bilaterally, are implicated in math reasoning ability for men; no specific cortical areas were related to math reasoning performance in women.