Open AccessIntegrating sex and gender into neurodegeneration research: A six‐component strategy
Author(s) -
Tierney Mary C.,
Curtis Ashley F.,
Chertkow Howard,
Rylett R. Jane
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia: translational research and clinical interventions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.49
H-Index - 30
ISSN - 2352-8737
DOI - 10.1016/j.trci.2017.10.006
Subject(s) - component (thermodynamics) , neurodegeneration , psychology , medicine , disease , physics , thermodynamics
Despite important sex differences, there remains a paucity of studies examining sex and gender differences in neurodegeneration. The Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging (CCNA), a national network of researchers, provides an ideal platform to incorporate sex and gender. Methods CCNA's Women, Gender, Sex and Dementia program developed and implemented a six‐component strategy involving executive oversight, training, research collaboration, progress report assessment, results dissemination, and ongoing manuscript review. The inclusion of sex and gender in current and planned CCNA projects was examined in two progress reporting periods in 2016. Results Sex and gender research productivity increased substantially for both preclinical (36%–45%) and human (56%–60%) cohorts. The main barrier was lack of funding. Discussion The Women, Gender, Sex and Dementia strategy resulted in a major increase of sex and gender into research on neurodegenerative disorders. This best practice model could be utilized by a wide variety of large multidisciplinary groups.