scholarly journals Harnessing the Power of Sex Differences: What a Difference Ten Years Did Not Make

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca K Rechlin ◽  
Tallinn FL Splinter ◽  
Travis E Hodges ◽  
Arianne Albert ◽  
Liisa Galea
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Gender Equity ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Sex And Gender ◽  
Sample Sizes ◽  
Balanced Design ◽  
Single Sex ◽  
Detailed Assessment ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
And Gender

Sex differences exist in a variety of neurological and psychiatric diseases in terms of prevalence, manifestation, and treatment but most past research has been conducted in males. Multiple mandates have been initiated across funding agencies (National Institute of Health, Horizon Europe, Canadian Institute for Health Research) and scientific publishers (Sex and Gender Equity in Research) for biomedical and clinical research to include both males and females in research and reporting. Although more studies are including males and females in their research there are issues in how studies are incorporating males and females in their experiments, as about a third of studies that use males and females do not report sample size and only half are conducting any analysis by sex. Furthermore, what has been lacking in the literature is a detailed assessment of not only how sex is reported in papers (e.g. sample sizes disclosed, balanced design, sex used consistently throughout the experiments) but also how the variable sex is included in any analyses (e.g. covariate). Here we investigated all papers in 2009 and 2019 in three high ranking journals for each of Neuroscience and Psychiatry. We found that there was a 30% increase in the percentage of papers that included both sexes from 2009 to 2019 such that 68% of studies in Neuroscience and Psychiatry used both males and females in 2019. Despite this increase, in 2019 only 19% of all studies used an optimal design for discovery of possible sex differences and only 5% analyzed with sex as a discovery variable. Of the studies that used males and females - 25% of studies do not disclose sample sizes, 36% of studies used an unbalanced design, and 15% of studies did not use both sexes consistently throughout the paper. The percentage of single sex papers remains unchanged across the ten years at 3% for female-only studies compared to 27% for male-only studies across both disciplines. Neuroscience had fewer papers that analyzed by sex at 20% compared to 61% of Psychiatry papers. We hope that these data will make it evident that more needs to be done to improve the inclusion of males and females in future studies to improve the health of men and women.

Sex Differences in the Human Brain

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
David D. Franks
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
White Matter ◽  
Human Brain ◽  
Sex Education ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Sex And Gender ◽  
Single Sex ◽  
And Gender ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Biological Differences

In this chapter, the different meanings of the terms sex and gender are discussed: Sex is biological, and gender has to do with social roles. Biological differences such as genes are discussed next, including a discussion of whether these differences should be considered as either/or distinctions or as continuums. Differences in social skills are discussed. Next, differences in the brain’s gray and white matter are explored. Various parts of the brain and the abilities they support are then presented. How sex differences in the brain complement each other is explored, as well as differences and overlaps. The implications for single-sex education are presented. Reasons to discuss brain differences and other differences follow, including sleep problems, anorexia, and bulimia. A subsection on memory and emotion follows.

scholarly journals Sex and Gender Differences Research Design for Basic, Clinical, and Population Studies: Essentials for Investigators

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 424-439 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet W Rich-Edwards ◽  
Ursula B Kaiser ◽  
Grace L Chen ◽  
JoAnn E Manson ◽  
Jill M Goldstein
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Population Studies ◽  
Effect Modification ◽  
Sex And Gender ◽  
Subject Selection ◽  
Funding Agencies ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Sex And Gender Differences

Abstract A sex- and gender-informed perspective increases rigor, promotes discovery, and expands the relevance of biomedical research. In the current era of accountability to present data for males and females, thoughtful and deliberate methodology can improve study design and inference in sex and gender differences research. We address issues of motivation, subject selection, sample size, data collection, analysis, and interpretation, considering implications for basic, clinical, and population research. In particular, we focus on methods to test sex/gender differences as effect modification or interaction, and discuss why some inferences from sex-stratified data should be viewed with caution. Without careful methodology, the pursuit of sex difference research, despite a mandate from funding agencies, will result in a literature of contradiction. However, given the historic lack of attention to sex differences, the absence of evidence for sex differences is not necessarily evidence of the absence of sex differences. Thoughtfully conceived and conducted sex and gender differences research is needed to drive scientific and therapeutic discovery for all sexes and genders.

scholarly journals Elucidating the Relationship Between Insomnia, Sex, and Cardiovascular Disease

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 247028972098001
Author(s):  
Rebecca Leeds ◽  
Ari Shechter ◽  
Carmela Alcantara ◽  
Brooke Aggarwal ◽  
John Usseglio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Cardiovascular Health ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Sex And Gender ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Sex Research ◽  
And Gender ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Cvd Mortality

Sex differences in cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality have been attributed to differences in pathophysiology between men and women and to disparities in CVD management that disproportionately affect women compared to men. Similarly, there has been investigation of differences in the prevalence and presentation of insomnia attributable to sex. Few studies have examined how sex and insomnia interact to influence CVD outcomes, however. In this review, we summarize the literature on sex-specific differences in the prevalence and presentation of insomnia as well as existing research regarding the relationship between insomnia and CVD outcomes as it pertains to sex. Research to date indicate that women are more likely to have insomnia than men, and there appear to be differential associations in the relation between insomnia and CVD by sex. We posit potential mechanisms of the relationship between sex, insomnia and CVD, discuss gaps in the existing literature, and provide commentary on future research needed in this area. Unraveling the complex relations between sex, insomnia, and CVD may help to explain sex-specific differences in CVD, and identify sex-specific strategies for promotion of cardiovascular health. Throughout this review, terms “men” and “women” are used as they are in the source literature, which does not differentiate between sex and gender. The implications of this are also discussed.

scholarly journals Sex and gender differences in nutrition research: considerations with the transgender and gender nonconforming population

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Whitney Linsenmeyer ◽  
Jennifer Waters
Keyword(s):  
Gender Equity ◽  
The Body ◽  
Sex And Gender ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Nutrition Interventions ◽  
Step Method ◽  
Gender Nonconforming ◽  
Nutrition Research ◽  
Surveillance Programs ◽  
And Gender

AbstractA sex- and gender-informed approach to study design, analysis and reporting has particular relevance to the transgender and gender nonconforming population (TGNC) where sex and gender identity differ. Notable research gaps persist related to dietary intake, validity and reliability of nutrition assessment methods, and nutrition interventions with TGNC populations. This is due in part to the conflation of sex and gender into one binary category (male or female) in many nutrition surveillance programs worldwide. Adoption of the Sex and Gender Equity In Research (SAGER) guidelines and the two-step method of querying sex and gender has the potential to exponentially increase the body of research related to TGNC health.

Sex differences in melanotic encapsulation responses (immunocompetence) in the damselfly Lestes forcipatus Rambur

2002 ◽  
Vol 80 (9) ◽  
pp. 1578-1583 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher P Yourth ◽  
Mark R Forbes ◽  
Robert L Baker
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Life Histories ◽  
Mass Gain ◽  
Sexually Dimorphic ◽  
Foreign Objects ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Parasitic Mites ◽  
Melanotic Encapsulation

A few studies have shown that male and female invertebrates differ in immunity and that these differences appear related to differences in sexual dimorphism and gender differences in life histories. Melanotic encapsulation of foreign objects in insects is one form of immunity. The damselfly Lestes forcipatus Rambur is moderately sexually dimorphic, and much is known about patterns of mass gain in congeners relating to differences in life history between males and females. In this study, females were more immunoresponsive than males under controlled temperatures, following emergence, and at a time when parasitic mites were challenging these hosts. However, males and females that overlapped in mass at emergence did not differ in their immune responses. Males in better condition at emergence were more immunoresponsive than lighter males, but this relation was not found in females. Sex differences in immune expression may have implications for how females versus males are able to deal with challenges from parasites, under varying environmental conditions.

Everything You Wanted to Know About Sex Differences, but Were Afraid to Be Perceived as Politically Incorrect: Brain Gender, by M. Hines. 2004. New York: Oxford University Press. 307 pp., $49.50.

2004 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1026-1027
Author(s):  
Jeannette McGlone
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Sex And Gender ◽  
Oxford University ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Oxford University Press

Hines finds it impossible to make distinctions between the terms “sex” and “gender,” hence their refreshing, non-political interchangeability in her new book. After examining hormonal and brain-based data, Hines concludes that science cannot yet inform us which differences are determined biologically, socially, and/or both.

scholarly journals Gender Informed or Gender Ignored? Opportunities for Gender Transformative Approaches in Brief Alcohol Interventions on College Campuses

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 396 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsay Wolfson ◽  
Julie Stinson ◽  
Nancy Poole
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Gender Equity ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
College Campuses ◽  
Sex And Gender ◽  
Specific Population ◽  
Alcohol Interventions ◽  
Risky Alcohol ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Multiple Health

Brief alcohol interventions are an effective strategy for reducing harmful and risky alcohol use and misuse. Many effective brief alcohol interventions include information and advice about an individual’s alcohol use, changing their use, and assistance in developing strategies and goals to help reduce their use. Emerging research suggests that brief interventions can also be expanded to address multiple health outcomes; recognizing that the flexible nature of these approaches can be helpful in tailoring information to specific population groups. This scoping review synthesizes evidence on the inclusion of sex and gender in brief alcohol interventions on college campuses, highlighting available evidence on gender responsiveness in these interventions. Furthermore, this scoping review offers strategies on how brief alcohol interventions can be gender transformative, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of brief alcohol interventions as harm reduction and prevention strategies, and in promoting gender equity.

scholarly journals Sex and Gender Differences in Central Nervous System-Related Disorders

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emanuela Zagni ◽  
Lucia Simoni ◽  
Delia Colombo
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Brain Diseases ◽  
Sex And Gender ◽  
Neuronal Structure ◽  
Clinical Literature ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Psychosocial Influences ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Or Genes ◽  
The Brain

There are important sex differences in the brain that seem to arise from biology as well as psychosocial influences. Sex differences in several aspects of human behavior and cognition have been reported. Gonadal sex steroids or genes found on sex chromosomes influence sex differences in neuroanatomy, neurochemistry and neuronal structure, and connectivity. There has been some resistance to accept that sex differences in the human brain exist and have biological relevance; however, a few years ago, it has been recommended by the USA National Institute of Mental Health to incorporate sex as a variable in experimental and clinical neurological and psychiatric studies. We here review the clinical literature on sex differences in pain and neurological and psychiatric diseases, with the aim to further stimulate interest in sexual dimorphisms in the brain and brain diseases, possibly encouraging more research in the field of the implications of sex differences for treating these conditions.

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