The Role of Gender in Neuropsychological Assessment in Healthy Adolescents.

CONTEXT: Research in college athletes has revealed significant gender differences in areas of verbal memory, visual memory, and reaction time. Additionally, research has focused on differences in neuropsychological components and gender in college populations; however, such differences in gender have not been documented in healthy adolescent populations.

PURPOSE: To identify potential differences between males and females using different components of a common computerized neuropsychological test.

METHODS: A computerized neuropsychological test battery (ImPACT®) was administered to 662 high-school age adolescent athletes (male: n = 451 female: n = 262). Differences between genders were calculated using a 1-way ANOVA. All statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS 23.0. Significance levels were set a priori at P < .05.

RESULTS: A 1-way ANOVA revealed statistically significant differences between males and females for composite reaction time (F1,660  = 10.68, P = .001) and total symptom score (F1,660  = 81.20, P < .001). However, no statistically significant differences were found between males and females in composite verbal memory, visual memory, visual motor, or impulse control (P > .05).

CONCLUSIONS: Significant differences between males and females were discovered for composite reaction time and total symptom scores, with females reporting more symptoms and slower reaction times at a baseline assessment. Increased symptom reporting by females may be attributed to both hormonal differences and increased honesty. Quicker reaction times in males may support theories that repetition of activities and quicker muscle contraction are gender dependent. However, additional research is necessary to understand gender differences in adolescent athletes during periods of cognitive and physical maturation.