Gender Preference for Auditory Versus Visual Routes for Memorization.

Objective: Memory is formed on the basis of sensory stimuli perceived. Vision and Auditory sense are the most common modes to form visual and auditory memory. This study was planned to find the preferred sense route for the formation of memory, between the two genders. Method: In the present cross sectional experimental study, 40 male and 40 female subjects between 18- 20 years of age were tested for visual & auditory memory. Results: The results suggested statistically significant higher scores of ‘Memory Test’ in women in comparison to men (F479 3.312, p=<0.001). The mean score for memory subtests was best for black & white pictures followed by colored pictures, visual words, visual digits, auditory digits and auditory words in that order in men, whereas in women, mean score was best for colored pictures followed by black & white pictures, auditory words, auditory digits, visual words and visual digits. Conclusion: It may be concluded that in men visual sense and in women auditory sense are more effectual for the formation of memory.

Variability in serum electrolytes in different grades of depression.

The present study was planned to assess the variation in serum electrolytes in patients of major depression. A total of 100 patients of 35– 45 yrs of age (68 males and 32 females) of depression were compared with the age matched healthy volunteers. Severity of depression was assessed by DSM IV criteria and were graded into mild, moderate and severe depression. In all the subjects serum electrolytes (Na+, K+, Mg++ and Ca++) were assessed quantitatively. All the depression patients were having higher level of Na+, K+, and Ca++ and lower level of Mg++. Multivariate analysis showed that different grades of depression influences statistically significantly levels of serum Mg++ and Ca++ (F2,98 for Mg++ = 4.88, P value = 0.001 and F2,98 for Ca++ = 5.97, P value = 0.004). No statistically significant difference was observed for Na+ and K+ although their values were higher (within normal limit) in comparison to that of control group. Multiple comparison revealed highly statistically significant difference between the levels of serum Ca and Mg individually between mild and moderate depression (S V(mild & mod) for Ca++; Mg++ = 7.1; 7.4) moderate & severe depression (S V(mod & severe) for Ca++; Mg++ = 6.82; 6.92) and mild & severe depression patients (S V(mild & severe) for Ca++; Mg++ = 7.46; 7.73) with critical value = 6.36. These results indicated the disbalance in the level of serum electrolytes especially of Ca and Mg in accordance with the severity of depression.

Gender based alteration in color perception.

Human beings are able to perceive hundreds of shades of color which depends on the three types of cone system and various ratios of stimulation in response to different wavelengths. Perceptually and cognitively, men and women may experience appearance of color differently. Therefore, this study was planned to assess and compare color vision in male and female subjects. This study was carried out in the department of Physiology, SGRRIM&HS, Dehradun on 60 ocular healthy subjects (equal number of males and females) of 17–22 years of age group. The task was to match 22 test color strips with 2 shade charts of different colors. Total number of correct answers and total time taken in matching all the test color strips with the shade charts was recorded in both the sexes and analyzed. The results of this study showed that overall, females gave more correct responses (P<0.001) and also took less time (P<0.01) than males. Color wise also, females gave more correct responses especially for red (P<.001) and green color (P<0.01). The conclusion states that the females can see more shades of colors than males.

Salt preference: age and sex related variability.

Salt preference was assessed in 60 adults of 18-21 yrs of age (30 males and 30 females) and in 60 children of 7-12 yrs of age (30 boys and 30 girls). Subjects rated the preference on Likert scale for popcorns of five salt concentrations (OM, 1M, 2M, 3M and +3M). Statistical analysis using Two way ANOVA revealed statistically significant effect of age and sex on salt preference (F4,100 = 15.027, P < 0.01) and One Way ANOVA revealed statistically significant sex difference in salt preference of adults (F4,50 = 16.26, P < 0.01) but no statistically significant sex difference in salt preference of children (F4,50 = 4.08, P > 0.05). Dietary experiences during development and more physical activity in children may be responsible for higher salt preference in children while finding no sex variability in children favours the role of sex hormones in salt preference of male and females.

Salt preference across different phases of menstrual cycle.

It is well established that women experience food craving for particular foods and gain weight in relation to phases of menstrual cycle. In this study, the preference for different concentrations of salt sprayed on bland popcorn was assessed in 55 healthy women (age 18 to 22 yrs). Salt solutions of 0, 1, 2, 3 and +3 molar strength were used. Samples of sprayed popcorn were consumed in random order and preference marked on a Likert scale. It was observed that women preferred unsalted popcorn in the menstrual phase more than in the luteal phase. The preference for salted popcorn was most during the luteal phase and was proportionate to the strength of the salt solution used. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in the preference rating between the menstrual phase and the other two phases. There was no significant difference in preference between the luteal and follicular phases.