The following is a summary of “Sex steroids and the female brain across the lifespan: insights into risk of depression and Alzheimer’s disease,” published in the December 2023 issue of Endocrinology by Barth, et al.

There has been relatively little attention dedicated to the influence of endocrine aging, even though there are significant gender discrepancies in the prevalence and appearance of a wide range of disorders that affect the human brain. These diseases include Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. 

Many clinical studies evaluate data by comparing for sex, ignoring any substantial differences that may exist between the sexes of the participants. The great majority of preclinical research has only focused on males. On the other hand, clinical studies often evaluate data by comparing for sex. It is a biased strategy that results in a lack of specialist treatments and services that are accessible to individuals of all genders and sexes. This method is neutral concerning both gender and sex, but it is biased. 

The absence of studies on female health throughout history has had severe ramifications for the health and well-being of women. This absence of research has significantly contributed to the current state of affairs. By providing information on the effects of sex steroids, specifically oestradiol, on the female brain and the risk of developing disorders that are more common in females, such as Alzheimer’s disease and depression, the purpose of this Review is to shed light on the significance of maintaining the health of the female brain throughout a lifetime.

Source: sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2213858723002243