Recommendations for a better understanding of sex and gender in neuroscience of mental health

Wierenga, Lara Marise; Ruigrok, Amber; Aksnes, Eira Ranheim; Barth, Claudia; Beck, Dani; Burke, Sarah; Crestol, Arielle; van Drunen, Lina; Ferrara, Maria; Galea, Liisa Ann Margaret; Goddings, Anne-Lise; Hausmann, Markus; Homanen, Inka; Klinge, Ineke; de Lange, Ann-Marie; Ouwerkerk, Lieke; van der Miesen, Anna; Proppert, Ricarda; Rieble, Carlotta; Tamnes, Christian Krog; Bos, Marieke Geerte Nynke

Abstract

There are prominent sex/gender differences in the prevalence, expression and lifespan course of mental health and neurodiverse conditions. Yet the underlying sex and gender related mechanisms and their interactions are still not fully understood. This lack of knowledge has harmful consequences for those suffering from mental health problems. Hence, we set up a co-creation session in a one week workshop with a multidisciplinary team of 25 researchers, clinicians and policy makers, to identify the main barriers in sex and gender research in neuroscience of mental health. Based on this work, we here provide recommendations for methodologies, translational research and stakeholder involvement. These include guidelines for recording, reporting, analysis beyond binary groups, and open science. Improved understanding of sex and gender related mechanisms in neuroscience may benefit public health as this is an important step towards precision medicine and may function as an archetype for studying diversity.

Citation

Wierenga, L. M., Ruigrok, A., Aksnes, E. R., Barth, C., Beck, D., Burke, S., …Bos, M. G. N. (2024). Recommendations for a better understanding of sex and gender in neuroscience of mental health. Biological Psychiatry Global Open Science, 4(2), Article 100283. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpsgos.2023.100283

• Journal Article Type: Review
• Acceptance Date: Nov 17, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Dec 30, 2023
• Publication Date: 2024-03
• Deposit Date: Mar 11, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 11, 2024
• Journal: Biological Psychiatry Global Open Science
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 4
• Issue: 2
• Article Number: 100283
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpsgos.2023.100283
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2085003