Sex differences in brain and behavior: emphasis on nicotine, nitric oxide and place learning

Although males and females are unmistakably different, the recognition of s ex as a key variable in science and medicine is considered a revolution in some circles. Sex differences transcend reproductive functions, are evident in the structural and functional organization of the brain, and are reflec ted in group differences in cognitive abilities and behavior. Males and fem ales have different neural organizational patterns for information processi ng and different strategies in problem solving. Research on sex differences not only provides descriptive data, but also allows us to elucidate mechan isms that underlie our behavior. In this review, sex differences in the cen tral actions of nicotine (an addictive substance) and nitric oxide, and per formance on active avoidance and place learning tasks are discussed as exam ples, and biobehavioral approaches relating to these topics are presented. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.