Unveiling Brain Volume Patterns by Sex and Age in Marmosets

Motivation: Sex-related differences in human brain volume have been documented in previous studies, with evidence suggesting a potential association with neurodegenerative diseases, particularly in specific brain regions. Goal(s): The aim of this study is to investigate sex-related differences in the brain volume of marmosets, a nonhuman primate model commonly used in biomedical research, using MRI. Approach: We conducted MRI scans on 445 healthy marmosets to measure total brain volume and the volume of specific brain regions. Results: Across all age groups, females had notably smaller brain volumes than the males. The most pronounced differences were observed between the ages of 0.6 and 0.9 years. Impact: This study highlights sex-related differences in marmoset brain volumes. These findings provide valuable insights into sex-specific brain development and contribute to our understanding of human neuroanatomy and pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases.