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Brain Organization

Meaning

Brain organization, in the context of endocrinology, refers to the permanent, structural, and functional differentiation of the central nervous system that occurs primarily during critical developmental periods, largely driven by the presence, absence, or timing of exposure to sex steroid hormones. This process establishes the fundamental neurobiological architecture that underpins sex-typical differences in behavior, cognitive function, and the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary axes throughout an individual’s lifespan. The enduring effects of these hormonal signals shape neural circuits and dictate how the adult brain responds to hormonal fluctuations.