Analysis of Major Lobe Volume and Asymmetry of the Brain by Gender: A vol2Brain Study

Abstract

Objective: In recent years, with the use of three-dimensional (3D) software tools, volumetric measurements of brain morphometry have gained importance. In this study, we aim to investigate the ratio of the volumes of the major structures of the brain (frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes) to the volume of the intracranial cavity (ICC) and the change of asymmetry according to gender, using web-based vol2Brain, which is one of the current and automatic software tools. Materials and Methods: 3D-T1-weighted magnetic resonance images of 80 healthy individuals (43 females and 37 males) of both genders were included in our study. The volumes of major brain lobes were calculated with the vol2Brain pipeline software tool and their ratio to ICC was compared by gender. Results: Males ICC volume, frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobe total volume values were statistically higher than females (P < 0.05). Similarly, the right and left volume values of male were higher than those of female in all measurements. However, when the frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobe volumes of male and female were proportion to the ICC volume, there was no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the asymmetry results of these cortical structures examined in both genders (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Although the male brain is known to be large, no difference was found between the male and female brains as a result of the ratio. Considering the asymmetry values, frontal, parietal, occipital, and temporal lobe volume asymmetry values did not differ statistically in both genders.