The understanding of sex and gender differences in neuroscience and neurology holds promise for earlier diagnosis, more reliable treatment, and effective disease management, thereby reducing the impact on individuals, families, societies, and economies. “Almost one in three people are estimated to develop a neurological disorder during their lifetime, at a cost of more than US$1·7 trillion per year. Many aspects of neurological disease can be affected by sex, which is defined by WHO on the basis of biological and physiological characteristics, and gender, which is defined on the basis of socially constructed characteristics. For example, sex is associated with differences in the risks for and prevalence of several neurological disorders and responses to some treatments; gender can affect diagnosis and prognosis, for instance if cultural norms mean that people are reluctant to seek health care or if health-care professionals have preconceived ideas of who is more likely to have a disease.”1

Despite this, the consideration of sex and gender in brain research remains limited. A white paper titled “Sex, Gender, and the Brain: Towards an Inclusive Research Agenda” advocates for increased investment in studying the effects of sex and gender on neurological diseases, citing potential benefits for individuals and economies. The paper emphasizes the need for collecting sex-specific and gender-specific data from diverse populations, including those outside binary categories, and enrolling participants in clinical trials that reflect the epidemiological distribution of these disorders.1

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References

  1. Neurology, L. (2023). Sex, gender, and the cost of neurological disorders. Lancet Neurology, 22(5), 367. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1474-4422(23)00120-5

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