Strategies for studying sex differences in brain aging

Victor A. Ansere; Seung Soo Kim; Francesca Marino; Katherine Morillo; Dena B. Dubal; Coleen T. Murphy; Yousin Suh; Bérénice A. Benayoun

doi:10.1016/j.tig.2025.02.001

Strategies for studying sex differences in brain aging

Victor A. Ansere, Seung Soo Kim, Francesca Marino, Katherine Morillo, Dena B. Dubal, Coleen T. Murphy, Yousin Suh, Bérénice A. Benayoun

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

Abstract

Studying sex effects and their underlying mechanisms is of major relevance to understanding brain health. Despite growing interests, experimentally studying sex differences, particularly in the context of aging, remains challenging. Since sex chromosomal content influences gonadal development, separating the effects of gonadal hormones and chromosomal factors requires specific model systems. Here, we highlight rodent and tractable models for examining sex dimorphism in brain and cognitive aging. In addition, we discuss multi-omic and bioinformatic approaches that yield biological insights from animal and human studies. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the diverse toolkit now available to advance our understanding of sex differences in brain aging.

Original language	English (US)
Journal	Trends in Genetics
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tig.2025.02.001
State	Accepted/In press - 2025

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Genetics

Keywords

X chromosome inactivation
brain aging
sex chromosomes
sex hormones
sexual dimorphism

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10.1016/j.tig.2025.02.001

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title = "Strategies for studying sex differences in brain aging",

abstract = "Studying sex effects and their underlying mechanisms is of major relevance to understanding brain health. Despite growing interests, experimentally studying sex differences, particularly in the context of aging, remains challenging. Since sex chromosomal content influences gonadal development, separating the effects of gonadal hormones and chromosomal factors requires specific model systems. Here, we highlight rodent and tractable models for examining sex dimorphism in brain and cognitive aging. In addition, we discuss multi-omic and bioinformatic approaches that yield biological insights from animal and human studies. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the diverse toolkit now available to advance our understanding of sex differences in brain aging.",

keywords = "X chromosome inactivation, brain aging, sex chromosomes, sex hormones, sexual dimorphism",

author = "Ansere, {Victor A.} and Kim, {Seung Soo} and Francesca Marino and Katherine Morillo and Dubal, {Dena B.} and Murphy, {Coleen T.} and Yousin Suh and Benayoun, {B{\'e}r{\'e}nice A.}",

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year = "2025",

doi = "10.1016/j.tig.2025.02.001",

language = "English (US)",

journal = "Trends in Genetics",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - Strategies for studying sex differences in brain aging

AU - Ansere, Victor A.

AU - Kim, Seung Soo

AU - Marino, Francesca

AU - Morillo, Katherine

AU - Dubal, Dena B.

AU - Murphy, Coleen T.

AU - Suh, Yousin

AU - Benayoun, Bérénice A.

PY - 2025

Y1 - 2025

N2 - Studying sex effects and their underlying mechanisms is of major relevance to understanding brain health. Despite growing interests, experimentally studying sex differences, particularly in the context of aging, remains challenging. Since sex chromosomal content influences gonadal development, separating the effects of gonadal hormones and chromosomal factors requires specific model systems. Here, we highlight rodent and tractable models for examining sex dimorphism in brain and cognitive aging. In addition, we discuss multi-omic and bioinformatic approaches that yield biological insights from animal and human studies. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the diverse toolkit now available to advance our understanding of sex differences in brain aging.

AB - Studying sex effects and their underlying mechanisms is of major relevance to understanding brain health. Despite growing interests, experimentally studying sex differences, particularly in the context of aging, remains challenging. Since sex chromosomal content influences gonadal development, separating the effects of gonadal hormones and chromosomal factors requires specific model systems. Here, we highlight rodent and tractable models for examining sex dimorphism in brain and cognitive aging. In addition, we discuss multi-omic and bioinformatic approaches that yield biological insights from animal and human studies. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the diverse toolkit now available to advance our understanding of sex differences in brain aging.

KW - X chromosome inactivation

KW - brain aging

KW - sex chromosomes

KW - sex hormones

KW - sexual dimorphism

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U2 - 10.1016/j.tig.2025.02.001

DO - 10.1016/j.tig.2025.02.001

M3 - Review article

C2 - 40037936

AN - SCOPUS:85219582923

SN - 0168-9525

JO - Trends in Genetics

JF - Trends in Genetics

ER -

Strategies for studying sex differences in brain aging

Abstract

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Keywords

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