1. Recommendations for a Better Understanding of Sex and Gender in the Neuroscience of Mental Health
- Author
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Lara Marise Wierenga, Amber Ruigrok, Eira Ranheim Aksnes, Claudia Barth, Dani Beck, Sarah Burke, Arielle Crestol, Lina van Drunen, Maria Ferrara, Liisa Ann Margaret Galea, Anne-Lise Goddings, Markus Hausmann, Inka Homanen, Ineke Klinge, Ann-Marie de Lange, Lieke Ouwerkerk, Anna van der Miesen, Ricarda Proppert, Carlotta Rieble, Christian Krog Tamnes, and Marieke Geerte Nynke Bos
- Subjects
Brain ,Gender ,Mental health ,Neurodiverse conditions ,Sex ,Psychiatry ,RC435-571 - Abstract
There are prominent sex/gender differences in the prevalence, expression, and life span course of mental health and neurodiverse conditions. However, the underlying sex- and gender-related mechanisms and their interactions are still not fully understood. This lack of knowledge has harmful consequences for those with mental health problems. Therefore, we set up a cocreation session in a 1-week workshop with a multidisciplinary team of 25 researchers, clinicians, and policy makers to identify the main barriers in sex and gender research in the neuroscience of mental health. Based on this work, here we 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 because this is an important step toward precision medicine and may function as an archetype for studying diversity.
- Published
- 2024
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