Hippocampus
sex differences can be seen in tasks involving spatial learning and memory
in males:
- increased performance may be associated with the use of fewer cues to learn the task (geometry)
- gonadal steroids have an organizing effect on spatial ability
- rise in testosterone at puberty may also act to enhance spatial abilities (at least on some tasks)--activating effect
in females:
- decreased performance may be associated with learning more and possibly different cues associated with a spatial task
- in adults, increased estrogen (and associated changes in spine density in the hippocampus) appears to inhibit performance on tasks requiring use of spatial cues but may enhance responsiveness to other cues