According to a study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, differences in the structure of the brain in males and females can be associated with gender inequality.

The findings of the study showed that in countries with higher gender inequality, the cortical thickness of the right hemisphere of the brain in women was thinner in comparison to men. However, no such difference was observed in the brain structure of women and men in more gender-equal countries.

The right hemisphere of the brain is connected with stress and emotions. This region is similarly affected by stress-related diseases such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

For the study, the researchers from the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Oxford, UK, analysed 4,078 MRI scans from women and 3,798 scans from men. The participants were between the ages of 18 and 40. The participants were selected from countries including the UK, the US, China, Latin America, India, and South Africa.

The lead author of the study explained that stress had an adverse impact on the connections between the neurons. This resulted in thinning of the grey matter cortex in the right hemisphere, as seen in MRI studies. Additionally, he also noted that several other factors, such as reduced opportunities and lower education, are responsible for the decline in the connections between the neurons. 

(Source: https://www.daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay?newsID=1079522)