Recommendations for a Better Understanding of Sex and Gender in the Neuroscience of Mental Health.
Wierenga LM., Ruigrok A., Aksnes ER., Barth C., Beck D., Burke S., Crestol A., van Drunen L., Ferrara M., Galea LAM., Goddings A-L., Hausmann M., Homanen I., Klinge I., de Lange A-M., Geelhoed-Ouwerkerk L., van der Miesen A., Proppert R., Rieble C., Tamnes CK., Bos MGN.
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.