The male brain: structures and differential functionality

The controversy over the particularities it represents the differentiation between the brains of both sexes has been present in scientific research, both in order to discern if there are discrepancies both in intellectual abilities as well as in processing capacity emotional.

Let's see what are the anatomical structures, as well as what hormonal and neurotransmitter substances operate in a particular way shaping the development of the male brain throughout the process vital.

• Related article: "Parts of the human brain (and functions)"

Hormones and neurotransmitters involved in male brain circuits

These are the hormones and neurotransmitters involved in the functioning of the brain.

1. Testosterone

It is the hormone responsible for the development of primary sexual characteristics, such as the maturation of the male reproductive organs, and also the secondary ones: body hair, the severity of the tone of voice or the muscle mass index.

Testosterone plays a major role in dominance behaviors and aggressiveness, it also activates behavioral circuits sexual, as well as those destined to the achievement of objectives and to the fight against possible competitors to maintain a superior position hierarchical.

On the other hand, it is responsible for activating the functionality of the sweat glands, which are responsible for the emission of male odor (androstenedione).

2. Vasopressin

Apart from its main antidiuretic function, this hormone is involved in the brain in the repertoire of social behaviors, specifically in the protection and defense of personal territory and behaviors oriented to sexual mating.

3. Mullerian Inhibitory Substance (SIM):

The main function of this hormone is to act during the first months of pregnancy in order to eliminate the future baby all female physical characteristics, as well as to enhance the maturation of those typically male.

Plays an important role in the development of exploratory behavior and to orient the interest in male infants in all that involves movement and action.

4. Oxytocin

This substance can act as a hormone or as a neurotransmitter and is mainly associated with the establishment and regulation of social behaviors, emotional ties (marital or paternal) and the promotion of aspects such as trust or generosity.

It seems to be activated especially by physical contact and therefore exerts an antagonistic role to the aggressive activation caused by testosterone. It is also involved in the development of empathic ability and to generate personal safety or stress reduction circuits.

5. Cortisol

This hormonal substance is the one that is secreted in response to stress, whose function is oriented to the fight before the perception of potential threats, both physiological and emotional in the different areas personal.

6. Dopamine

This substance is the main neurotransmitter involved in seeking pleasure, gratification, the motivation for enjoyment and regulates the drive to achieve a certain goal.

It is attributed the label of natural internal drug since it is secreted in large doses generating a powerful and chemically addictive sensation of well-being in the face of a certain reward, similar to that which can be obtained after the consumption of drugs such as cocaine or amphetamines, for example.

What areas make up male brain function?

Multiple scientific investigations collected in the work of Brizendine (2010) carried out in the last decades have managed to identify a series of brain structures that are especially active in the brains of men.

It seems that the high activity in such areas has been responsible for configuring and developing certain interests and objectives that ultimately guide gender behavior male.

1. Medial Preoptic Area (APOM)

This area is responsible for management of sexual activity and mating. It has been observed that it represents an average size two and a half times larger in male individuals than in female individuals.

2. Temporal Parietal Union (UPT)

This brain area regulates the capacity for cognitive empathy. This ability enables the individual to understand the other person's situation analyzing it cognitively in order to generate an effective solution for its coping. Studies affirm that this ability is more associated with the male gender.

Unlike this, affective empathy consists of putting yourself in the place of the other allowing you to identify emotionally with the feelings of the interlocutor. This last capacity seems to be more developed in women.

3. Preliminary Dorsal Nucleus (NPD)

This is the area that regulates the area of ​​defense of the territory and personal (or family) status, articulating the anger response to possible threats in this regard and activating the emotion of fear in the exercise of this protective role.

4. Amygdala

It is the structure in charge of activating the alarm signal for possible threats or personal dangers, and it is the main fear processing center.

It directs emotional impulses and is activated in men by means of testosterone, vasopressin, and cortisol. Oxytocin, on the other hand, acts as an inhibitor of such emotional activation. Research indicates that its size is greater in men than in women.

• You may be interested: "Brain amygdala: structure and functions"

5. Cranial Cingular Zone (ZCC)

This area plays a major role in the regulation of social behavior, the formation of emotions and is responsible for learning and remembering the social image that an individual transmits to others.

Some studies link this area to the readjustment of facial expressions that men experience to minimize the facial gestures of their male emotional responses.

6. Ventral Tegmental Area (ATV)

This set of structures located in the center of the brain become the command center of motivational ability, being the main producer of the neurotransmitter dopamine.

Scientific findings have observed a higher level of activation in the male brain compared to the female.

7. Periacuedal Gray (GPA)

This area is involved in the regulation of pleasure and involuntary pain. It is especially active during sexual acts In the man.

8. Mirror Neuron System (SNE)

This neural network controls the capacity for emotional empathy. As mentioned above, its function is less in men compared to women.

9. Anterior Cingular Cortex (CCA)

This structure plays a relevant role in the cognitive-emotional processing of possible threats, serving as the center of analysis of potential male emotional distress.

Acts in decision making, assessing possible consequences, fear of punishment, concerns in general, the fear response in relation to sexual behavior, mainly. It has been observed that its size is smaller in men since testosterone conditions its functionality.

10. Prefrontal Cortex (CPF)

This structure is one of the most complex and recent in the human brain. In it, the rational, logical and socially appropriate processing is carried out.

It is in charge of focusing attention on the relevant aspects at all times, in analyzing cognitively the different options for decision making and inhibits the most primitive impulses and maladaptive. Research has concluded that this area matures earlier and appears to be larger in female subjects.

Stages in the hormonal and neurocognitive development of the male brain

The foregoing until now can become a guide that allows a clearer idea of ​​male brain function. Let's see how the hormonal-anatomical operation takes place in the different vital stages of man.

Childhood

A pronounced combination of SIM hormone and testosterone secretion in the first year of life enhances the activation of brain circuits responsible for exploratory behavior of the environment, and of the focus of interest in all kinds of stimuli that involve muscular movement, especially with a more competitive playful.

Subsequently, testosterone levels progressively decrease up to the age of 11.

Puberty

From the age of 11, the production of testosterone and vasopressin increases by 20%, while SIM decreases. This entails a considerable increased activity of circuits of sexual behavior and defense of personal territory.

Simultaneously, the activation of the areas that promote visual sexual attraction takes place, increasing significantly the functionality of the sense of smell in relation to the action of pheromones, as well as also auditory perceptual sensitivity is modified.

Greater activity has also been observed in the circuits that regulate the sleep cycle, progressively decreasing the volume of hours of daily rest at night. This means that the main interests for the child are the maintenance of the territory and the personal hierarchy, the social interaction and the fixation in the body of the sex to which he feels attracted.

In the latter, an increase in sexual fantasies and masturbation behaviors is involved. With everything exposed, episodes of defiance of authority become more frequent and opposition to external norms.

Youth and early maturity

With stable elevated levels of testosterone, the great activity of the brain circuits that regulate it is maintained both mating behavior and interest in sex, as well as the protection of personal territory and the hierarchy.

In heterosexual men, the fixation is oriented to the search for attractive female sexual partners and to the vigilance of potential male competitors. In relation to the question of social hierarchy, the main goals in this stage are oriented towards consolidate certain aspects of social status like a good professional position or a good salary.

Paternity

During the gestation stage of the couple, it has been observed in males that testosterone levels decrease significantly and prolactin volume increases. This fact causes a decrease in the desire of the sexual impulse and increases the activity of the circuits that help to establish the behaviors of care and the paternal-filial bond.

Thus, the main goal is family protection, from which the man focuses on his role as economic and emotional supporter and to develop a greater sensitivity to the basic needs of the baby.

Medium Maturity and Andropause

From about the fifth decade of life, testosterone levels decrease considerably, although a certain fixation remains for the maintenance of personal territory and sexual interest, but with less activation impulsive.

The most relevant objectives for men are associated with the education of their children and maintaining an adequate status at a professional level. In the so-called andropause (the equivalent of menopause in the male sex) there is a very considerable decrease in blood pressure. hormonal segregation in general, although it has been observed that oxytocin levels increase during these stages vital.

This leads the individual to focus on their own emotional well-being in different personal and social: health, professional career or family relationship (with respect to your partner, as well as the children grandchildren). Due to the increased activity of the latter hormone the activity of the circuits of affectivity and sentimentality is increased, decreasing the general response of aggressiveness and competitiveness.

In conclusion

The foregoing is intended to be an explanation of a series of scientific generalities that can serve as guide to understanding in greater detail the type of brain biological predispositions associated with gender male.

However, this is not intended to affirm that the influence of the environment and the contextual factors in which it develops said individual do not have a determining influence on the way of finally externalizing the behavior of each subject in particular. Therefore, the information collected in the text should be taken as a set of indicative and theoretical data, avoiding draw the conclusion that male behavior is only mediated by their biochemical characteristics or organic.

Thus, one of the greatest consensuses that the scientific community has reached is to assume how the interaction between genetic or biological predispositions are combined with external factors or environmental to ultimately shape the behavior and functioning of the human being.

Bibliographic references:

• Brizendine, L. (2010) The male brain. RBA Books: Madrid.
• Kolb, B. & Wishaw, I.Q. (2006) Human Neuropsychology (5th Ed.) Editorial Médica Panaméricana: Buenos Aires.