Sex Differences in Gene Networks in the Medial Prefrontal Cortex for Learning and Memory

Females have historically been overlooked in research, including studies investigating the role of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) for learning and memory.However, emerging research challenges these beliefs by revealing sex differences in gene networks in the mPFC for cognitive processes.The mPFC is an important part of the brain that mediates many cognitive functions and combines inputs from other regions of the brain.There are sex differences linked to gene networks involved in synaptic plasticity within the mPFC.In synaptic plasticity, genes like brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor show sex-specific patterns.This review discusses the sex differences in gene networks regulating synaptic plasticity within the mPFC for learning and memory.Some key pathways that affect this are glutamatergic signalling and hormone regulation.Some researchers have shown that females exhibit enhanced glutamatergic transmission in the mPFC compared to males.However, the differences in gene networks between males and females in learning and memory remain poorly understood.It is important to expand sex-specific research to gain a comprehensive understanding of the interactions in different brain regions and their implications for learning and memory.