Exploring the Impact of Sex and Gender in Brain Function: Implications and Considerations.
Brain
Fibromyalgia syndrome
Gender
Gender equality
Gender medicine
Pain
Sex
Journal
Advances in therapy
ISSN: 1865-8652
Titre abrégé: Adv Ther
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 8611864
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
23 Oct 2024
23 Oct 2024
Historique:
received:
15
07
2024
accepted:
02
10
2024
medline:
24
10
2024
pubmed:
24
10
2024
entrez:
23
10
2024
Statut:
aheadofprint
Résumé
Sex and gender are crucial variables in understanding brain development and disease. Biological sex is determined by genetic and hormonal factors, whereas gender is a multidimensional construct shaped by social and cultural influences. The interplay of these factors contributes to sex-specific susceptibilities and disease progression in psychiatric and neurological disorders. However, sex and gender are often considered as a single variable, which can lead to biased data analysis and interpretation. This commentary aims to analyze how sex and gender influence brain structure and function, with implications for personalized medicine, research, and the development of gender-sensitive clinical guidelines. Findings from various studies employing neuroimaging techniques and animal models are discussed, as well as the impact of biological sex, gender, environmental, cultural, and social factors on brain development, organization, and behavior. Evidence suggests that sex differences in brain structure and function are not only genetically determined but are also influenced by gender-related experiences and societal contexts. Importantly, discrepancies between male and female brains are reduced in gender-equal societies. Preclinical studies play a pivotal role in determining the influence of biological sex, independent of gender, in different disease models. The findings underscore the need to consider both sex and gender in research and clinical practice to avoid biases and promote equitable health outcomes. Moving forward, we advocate for gender-sensitive approaches to be integrated into brain research and in clinical guidelines to achieve personalized and precision medicine.
Identifiants
pubmed: 39443404
doi: 10.1007/s12325-024-03016-3
pii: 10.1007/s12325-024-03016-3
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Subventions
Organisme : Ministero della Salute
ID : Ricerca Corrente
Informations de copyright
© 2024. The Author(s).
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