Sex-related difference in amygdala activity during emotionally influenced memory storage

We tested the possibility suggested by previous imaging studies that amygda la participation in the storage of emotionally influenced memory is differe ntially lateralized in men and women. Male and female subjects received two PET scans for regional cerebral glucose-one while viewing a series of emot ionally provocative (negative) films, and a second while viewing a series o f matched, but emotionally more neutral, films. Consistent with suggestions from several previously published studies, enhanced activity of the right, but not the left, amygdala in men was related to enhanced memory for the e motional films. Conversely, enhanced activity of the left, but not the righ t, amygdala in women was related to enhanced memory for the emotional films . These results demonstrate a clear gender-related lateralization of amygda la involvement in emotionally influenced memory, and indicate that theories of the neurobiology of emotionally influenced memory must begin to account for the influence of gender. (C) 2001 Academic Press.