Hormones Notes

Page 1: Hormonal Differences Between Female and Male Brains

• The transcript humorously outlines the perceived differences between female and male brains.

  • Female Brain:

    • Includes components like wants vs. needs, impulse shopping, and communication patterns.

    • Described as having an "I Told You So" gland, which may suggest an inclination towards assertiveness in conversations.

  • Male Brain:

    • Contains areas focused on "crotch scanning" and sports, representing high levels of sexual drive and competitiveness.

    • Includes concepts like improvisation and avoidance of personal questions.

• Each brain has dominating areas relevant to their functions, with humorous phrasing characterizing domestic skills and distractions.

Page 2: Case Study of C.V.

• A brief case study of a 3-month-old boy named C.V.

  • Symptoms include severe constipation since birth, inability to hold up his head, and lack of smiling.

  • Noted with a small head and a recorded low body temperature at birth, indicating possible underlying health issues.

  • Diagnosis includes a hormone deficiency which may relate to his physical development and behavior.

Page 3: Hormonal Communication

• Both hormones and neural signals serve as chemical messengers in the body.

  • Key Differences:

    • Hormones operate over greater distances (meters) and take longer to exhibit effects (minutes to days).

    • Neural communication is rapid (milliseconds) and precise over shorter distances (millimeters).

• Hormones often display pulsatile secretion, releasing in bursts, and can be influenced by circadian rhythms.

• Hormones are slower and NOT ALL OR NONE (neurons)

Page 4: Anatomy of the Pituitary Gland

• The pituitary gland is significant enough to reside under the hypothalamus, highlighting its role in hormonal regulation.

Page 5: Endocrine Feedback Loops

• Tropic hormones are secreted by the pituitary gland and influence other endocrine glands.

  • Releasing hormones from the hypothalamus are responsible for the regulation of this process.

Page 6: Posterior Pituitary Functions

• The posterior pituitary releases:

  • Vasopressin (ADH): Functions to raise blood pressure and reduce urine formation, also linked to fear responses.

  • Oxytocin: Associated with maternal bonding and has potential links to autism.

Page 7: Hormonal Pathways

• Steps of how hormones are synthesized and secreted:

  1. Hypothalamic neurons synthesize releasing hormones.

  2. These hormones enter local blood vessels.

  3. Flow to the anterior pituitary, resulting in further hormone release.

  • Notable hormones include TSH/Thyroid Hormone (thyroid-stimulating hormone) and ACTH/Cortisol (adrenocorticotropic hormone).

Page 8: Impact of Thyroid Hormones

• Thyroid deficiencies lead to conditions like cretinism, impeding cognitive development.

  (Like C.V. Baby)

• Iodine is needed in the diet to synthesize thyroid hormones and deficiency can lead to goiter, or swelling of the thyroid gland.

Page 9: Hormones and Behavioral Impact

• Hormonal imbalances can mimic psychiatric disorders.

  • Example: Cushing's disease results from excess glucocorticoids(steroids), impacting mood and mental health.

  • Causes weight gain and flushed face

• Survey findings in North Texas suggest significant illegal steroid use among high school students, impacting athleticism and health.

Page 10: Sex: Hormonal and Neural Influences

• Discussion on the biological and neural bases of sexual behavior remains critical in understanding human experiences.

Page 11: Levels of Sex Determination

• Overview of sex determination involves:

  • 1. Chromosomes leading to 2. gonad development (testes vs. ovaries).

  • 3. Internal and 4. external organs 5. brain plus 6. gender identity and 7. preference.

  • Complexity in gender discussions with notes on potential ranges of gender identities.

Page 12: Motivations for Sex

• Reasons for engaging in sexual activity include:

  • Reproduction and DNA variation.

  • Pleasure derived from the act itself.

• The sexual drive, while comparable to hunger and thirst, differs as it is not required for individual survival, although it is important for species continuity.

Page 13: Role of Estrogen in Sexual Behavior

• Estrogen levels rise in females before ovulation, affecting sexual receptivity and possible behaviors.

  • Distinction between human sexual behavior and that of other species noted.

Page 14: Neurotransmitters and Sexual Activity

• Dopamine(reward) is linked to increased sexual desire capability in both genders.

• Serotonin (5HT) can hinder sexual functioning, particularly under SSRIs/antidepressants (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors).

• Shakespeare's quote highlights the dichotomy of desire versus performance capacity impacted by substances like alcohol.

Page 15: Genetic Basis of Sex Determination

• Determination of gonadal sex is influenced by the SRY gene located on the Y chromosome, leading to testicular development, while its absence results in ovarian formation.

Page 16: Testosterone's Organizational Role

• Testosterone acts as a primary organizing hormone affecting the development of brains and bodies, with lasting effects established early in life.

  • Activation effects can occur at any time but may fluctuate/reversible with hormone levels. Effects can be stable.

Page 17: Sex Differences in Brain Development

• MRI studies suggest significant differences in brain structure based on sex:

  1. Women show a larger corpus callosum, correlating with their cognitive skills.

  2. Males demonstrate greater asymmetry in brain structure, notably in cerebral development.

Page 18: Neuronal Variances in Sex

• Women demonstrate a greater number of neurons in specific brain areas associated with cognition and expression:

  1. Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex: Involved in complex decision-making.

  2. Superior temporal gyrus: Important for communication.

Page 19: Connectivity Patterns in Male and Female Brenas

• Research indicates distinct connectivity patterns between male and female brains:

  • Males tend to connect front-to-back, favoring concentration.

  • Females exhibit more left-to-right connectivity, facilitating multitasking.

Page 20: Behavioral and Cognitive Differences

• Gender-based cognitive differences noted:

  • Girls generally outperform boys in verbal tasks, while boys excel in visual-spatial abilities.

  • Aggressive behaviors and mathematical proficiency also display variances.

  • Emphasis on overlap showcasing similarities between genders together with behavioral expectations.

Page 21: Estrogen's Impact on Spatial Abilities

• Elevated estrogen levels are correlated with diminished spatial skills, while testosterone has been found to enhance spatial abilities in certain contexts.

Page 22: Testosterone's Influence on Cognitive Function

• Spatial abilities improve in girls exposed to higher testosterone levels, while low testosterone in males impairs spatial capabilities.

  • Female-to-male transgenders taking testosterone show improvements in spatial skills but experience declines in verbal fluency.

Page 23: "Brain Boxes" Concept

• Utilizing metaphorical representations by Mark Gungor to describe male and female cognition characteristics and interactive patterns.

Page 24: Gender Continuum

• Gender is conceptualized not merely as a binary system (girl vs. boy) but rather a continuum with varying identities and expressions.

Page 25: Conversational Styles of Boys and Girls

• Distinct differences in communication styles are observed:

  • Girls often have more detailed conversations, exhibiting nurturing behaviors and shared confessions.

  • Boys tend to favor minimal conversations, focusing on activities and often embracing playful teasing as a connection method.

Page 26: Emotional Processing in Genders

• Cognitive differences extend to emotional processing, with girls utilizing a more complex cortex for processing feelings, while boys show a simpler limbic system.

  • Engaging in risky behaviors is often associated with increased status among boys, while emotional expressions are viewed differently between genders.