Hemispheric asymmetry and gender dimorphism of the fetal central sulcus on 7.0-T MRI

Purpose: The hemispheric asymmetry and gender dimorphism of the central sulcus (CS) have been studied since the 19th century. Although there is a clear understanding that hemispheric asymmetry and gender dimorphism exist in adults, the time when the differences begin to occur remains unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to explore whether hemispheric asymmetry and gender dimorphism in the CS of the fetal brain at 13–22 gestational weeks exist, this is of great significance for studies on the early development of CS. Methods We used 7.0-T MRI to measure the maximum depth and length of the CS in 58 Chinese fetal specimens from 13 to 22 gestational weeks. The MRI was imported into Amira4.1 to reconstruct three-dimensional brain models, on which the measurements were performed. Then the lateral and gender differences in the CS of the fetal brain at 13–22 gestational weeks were analyzed. Results There were significant gender differences in the length of the CS at 13, 14, 16 (P < 0.01), and 18 gestational weeks (P < 0.05), as well as in the depth of the CS at 18 and 19 gestational weeks (P < 0.01). The lengths of the CS at 15 and 19 gestational weeks, and the maximum depth of the CS at 15 gestational weeks showed lateral differences (both P < 0.05). Conclusion Our findings revealed no stable hemispheric asymmetries or gender dimorphisms of the CS between 13 and 22 gestational weeks.