Scientists Have New Guidebook for Studying Sex Differences in the Brain

Newswise — Researchers and individuals interested in studying biological differences in the brain between women and men now have a guidebook thanks to members of the Society for Women's Health Research's Isis Fund Network on Sex, Gender, Drugs and the Brain. "Sex Differences in the Brain: From Genes to Behavior" covers the fascinating and growing field of science that is researching the impact biological differences between the sexes has on health and behavior.

"This book is the crowning achievement of a group of dedicated and highly talented researchers who have collaborated for years through a Society research network to advance the study of sex differences in the brain," said Sherry Marts, Ph.D., author of the book's preface and vice president of scientific affairs for the Society, a Washington, D.C., based advocacy organization.

"Sex Differences in the Brain" provides scientists with the basic tools for investigating sex differences in brain and behavior and insight into areas where important progress in understanding physiologically relevant sex differences has already been made.

Edited by Jill B. Becker, Ph.D., Karen J. Berkley, Ph.D., Nori Geary, Ph.D., Elizabeth Hampson, Ph.D., James P. Herman, Ph.D., and Elizabeth Young, M.D., and published by Oxford University Press, the book is arranged in three parts.

The first part of the book introduces the study of sex differences in the brain, with an overview of how the brain, stress systems, and pharmacogenomics differ in women and men and how this information is important for the study of behavior and neurobiology of both sexes. The second part presents examples of sex differences in neurobiology and behavior from both basic and clinical research perspectives, covering both humans and nonhuman animals. The final part discusses sex differences in the neurobiology of disease and neurological disorders.

For interested individuals as well as those who are considering conducting research at the intersections of endocrinology, neuroscience, and other areas of biomedicine, the study of sex differences offers exciting and challenging questions and perspectives. The book is intended as a guide and resource for clinicians, scientists, and students.

"Scientific evidence of sex differences in the brain is regularly emerging now," Marts said. "This book outlines current knowledge, conceptual approaches, methodological capabilities, and challenges to continued progress. It is an important tool in the quest to turn the science of sex differences into appropriate care for all patients both male and female."

The Isis Fund Network on Sex, Gender, Drugs and the Brain is part of the Society's Isis Fund for the Sex-Based Biology Research. The fund was created to foster interdisciplinary basic and clinical research on sex and gender differences. Named for the powerful Egyptian goddess Isis, the "giver of life," the fund was a direct response to the 2001 Institute of Medicine Report "Exploring the Biological Contributions to Health: Does Sex Matter?" Initiated at the Society's request, the report confirmed the existence of sex differences across a broad range of health areas and called for extensive research in this field.

Initial funding for the Isis Fund Network on Sex, Gender, Drugs and the Brain was provided through a grant from Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceuticals.