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International Journal of Molecular... Sep 2023A remarkable feature of the brain is its sexual dimorphism. Sexual dimorphism in brain structure and function is associated with clinical implications documented... (Review)
Review
A remarkable feature of the brain is its sexual dimorphism. Sexual dimorphism in brain structure and function is associated with clinical implications documented previously in healthy individuals but also in those who suffer from various brain disorders. Sex-based differences concerning some features such as the risk, prevalence, age of onset, and symptomatology have been confirmed in a range of neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases. The mechanisms responsible for the establishment of sex-based differences between men and women are not fully understood. The present paper provides up-to-date data on sex-related dissimilarities observed in brain disorders and highlights the most relevant features that differ between males and females. The topic is very important as the recognition of disparities between the sexes might allow for the identification of therapeutic targets and pharmacological approaches for intractable neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Sex Characteristics; Brain; Brain Diseases
PubMed: 37834018
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914571 -
The Journal of Experimental Medicine Jun 2022Sexual dimorphism in the composition and function of the human immune system has important clinical implications, as males and females differ in their susceptibility to... (Review)
Review
Sexual dimorphism in the composition and function of the human immune system has important clinical implications, as males and females differ in their susceptibility to infectious diseases, cancers, and especially systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Both sex hormones and the X chromosome, which bears a number of immune-related genes, play critical roles in establishing the molecular basis for the observed sex differences in immune function and dysfunction. Here, we review our current understanding of sex differences in immune composition and function in health and disease, with a specific focus on the contribution of the X chromosome to the striking female bias of three autoimmune rheumatic diseases.
Topics: Autoimmune Diseases; Female; Humans; Male; Rheumatic Diseases; Sex Characteristics
PubMed: 35510951
DOI: 10.1084/jem.20211487 -
Maturitas Jul 2022
Topics: Androgens; COVID-19; Estrogens; Humans; Sex Characteristics; Sex Factors
PubMed: 35337711
DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2022.03.004 -
Trends in Ecology & Evolution Oct 2023Sexual selection is a field coloured by tension and contrasting views. One contested claim is the causal link from the definition of the sexes (anisogamy) to divergent... (Review)
Review
Sexual selection is a field coloured by tension and contrasting views. One contested claim is the causal link from the definition of the sexes (anisogamy) to divergent selection on the sexes. Does theory truly engage with this claim? We survey the extent to which theory makes sex-specific assumptions and engages with anisogamy, and discuss these issues in a broader context. The majority of theory in sexual selection makes sex-specific assumptions and does not engage with the definition of the sexes. While this does not invalidate existing results, debates and criticisms regarding sexual selection force us to think deeper about its logical foundations. We discuss ways to strengthen the foundations of sexual selection theory by relaxing central assumptions.
Topics: Animals; Female; Male; Sexual Selection; Sex Characteristics; Sexual Behavior, Animal; Biological Evolution; Selection, Genetic
PubMed: 37246084
DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2023.04.013 -
Genes, Brain, and Behavior Mar 2020
Topics: Animals; Female; Humans; Male; Mental Disorders; Nervous System Diseases; Sex Characteristics
PubMed: 32141220
DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12646 -
Learning & Memory (Cold Spring Harbor,... Sep 2022
Topics: Female; Humans; Learning; Male; Memory; Sex Characteristics
PubMed: 36206389
DOI: 10.1101/lm.053640.122 -
ELife Jun 2023Studying fossils from a mass-mortality event reveals evidence for sexual dimorphism and, unusually, equal numbers of males and females in a herd of dinosaurs.
Studying fossils from a mass-mortality event reveals evidence for sexual dimorphism and, unusually, equal numbers of males and females in a herd of dinosaurs.
Topics: Female; Male; Animals; Sex Characteristics; Dinosaurs; Fossils
PubMed: 37314305
DOI: 10.7554/eLife.89158 -
Current Psychiatry Reports May 2023Women are twice as likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) compared to men after a traumatic experience. The purpose of this mini review was to explore... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Women are twice as likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) compared to men after a traumatic experience. The purpose of this mini review was to explore recent research on biological contributors to this sex difference.
RECENT FINDINGS
We identified 51 studies published since 2019. Studies found that beyond the influence of sex on the prevalence and symptoms of PTSD, there is evidence for and against sex-based differences in genetic and epigenetic factors (n = 8), brain structure and function (n = 11), neuroendocrine and inflammatory responses (n = 5), and in the role of sleep on emotional memory processing (n = 1). Sex differences were also observed in recovery and during PTSD treatment (n = 16). Finally, there is emerging evidence of sex-differentiated risk for medical and psychiatric comorbidities in PTSD (n = 10). Rapid advances are being made using integrated multidisciplinary approaches to understand why females are at a heightened risk for developing PTSD.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Sex Characteristics; Brain; Emotions; Comorbidity
PubMed: 37162661
DOI: 10.1007/s11920-023-01421-z -
International Journal of Molecular... Mar 2023The term "neurodegenerative diseases" (NDs) identifies a group of heterogeneous diseases characterized by progressive loss of selectively vulnerable populations of... (Review)
Review
The term "neurodegenerative diseases" (NDs) identifies a group of heterogeneous diseases characterized by progressive loss of selectively vulnerable populations of neurons, which progressively deteriorates over time, leading to neuronal dysfunction. Protein aggregation and neuronal loss have been considered the most characteristic hallmarks of NDs, but growing evidence confirms that significant dysregulation of innate immune pathways plays a crucial role as well. NDs vary from multiple sclerosis, in which the autoimmune inflammatory component is predominant, to more "classical" NDs, such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and spinal muscular atrophy. Of interest, many of the clinical differences reported in NDs seem to be closely linked to sex, which may be justified by the significant changes in immune mechanisms between affected females and males. In this review, we examined some of the most studied NDs by looking at their pathogenic and phenotypical features to highlight sex-related discrepancies, if any, with particular interest in the individuals' responses to treatment. We believe that pointing out these differences in clinical practice may help achieve more successful precision and personalized care.
Topics: Male; Female; Humans; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Sex Factors; Sex Characteristics; Parkinson Disease; Neurons
PubMed: 37047320
DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076354 -
Biology of Sex Differences Jul 2018It is well known that women live longer than men. This gap is observed in most human populations and can even reach 10-15 years. In addition, most of the known super... (Review)
Review
It is well known that women live longer than men. This gap is observed in most human populations and can even reach 10-15 years. In addition, most of the known super centenarians (i.e., humans who lived for > 110 years) are women. The differences in life expectancy between men and women are often attributed to cultural differences in common thinking. However, sex hormones seem to influence differences in the prevalence of diseases, in the magnitude of aging, and in the longevity between men and women. Moreover, far from being human specific, the sex gap in longevity is extremely common in non-human animals, especially in mammals. Biological factors clearly contribute to such a sex gap in aging and longevity. Different hypotheses have been proposed to explain why males and females age and die differently. The cost of sexual selection and sexual dimorphism has long been considered the best explanation for the observed sex gap in aging/longevity. However, the way mitochondria are transmitted (i.e., through females in most species) could have an effect, called the mother's curse. Recent data suggest that sex chromosomes may also contribute to the sex gap in aging/longevity through several potential mechanisms, including the unguarded X/Z, the toxic Y/W and the loss of Y/W. We discuss future research directions to test these ideas.
Topics: Aging; Animals; Humans; Sex Characteristics; Sex Chromosomes
PubMed: 30016998
DOI: 10.1186/s13293-018-0181-y