Sex/gender differences in neural correlates of food stimuli: a systematic review of functional neuroimaging studies

Sex and gender differences in food perceptions and eating behaviours have been reported in psychological and behavioural studies. The aim of this systematic review was to synthesize studies that examined sex/gender differences in neural correlates of food stimuli, as assessed by functional neuroimaging. Published studies to 2016 were retrieved and included if they used food or eating stimuli, assessed patients with functional magnetic resonance imaging or positron emission tomography, and compared activation between men and women. Fifteen studies were identified. In response to visual food cues, women, compared with men, showed increased activation in the frontal, limbic and striatal areas of the brain as well as the fusiform gyrus while fasted. Differences in neural response to gustatory stimuli were inconsistent. This suggests that women may be more reactive to visual food stimuli, especially when hungry. However, findings are based on a small number of studies, and additional research is needed to establish a more definitive explanation and conclusion.