Epigenetic Mechanisms Underlying Sex Differences in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by profound differences between females and males in terms of incidence, clinical presentation, and disease progression. Furthermore, there is evidence suggesting that differences in sensitivity to medical treatments may exist between the two sexes. Altho...
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| author | Andrea Stoccoro |
| author_facet | Andrea Stoccoro |
| author_sort | Andrea Stoccoro |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by profound differences between females and males in terms of incidence, clinical presentation, and disease progression. Furthermore, there is evidence suggesting that differences in sensitivity to medical treatments may exist between the two sexes. Although the role of sex hormones and sex chromosomes in driving differential susceptibility to these diseases is well-established, the molecular alterations underlying these differences remain poorly understood. Epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation, histone tail modifications, and the activity of non-coding RNAs, are strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. While it is known that epigenetic mechanisms play a crucial role in sexual differentiation and that distinct epigenetic patterns characterize females and males, sex-specific epigenetic patterns have been largely overlooked in studies aiming to identify epigenetic alterations associated with neurodegenerative diseases. This review aims to provide an overview of sex differences in epigenetic mechanisms, the role of sex-specific epigenetic processes in the central nervous system, and the main evidence of sex-specific epigenetic alterations in three neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Understanding the sex-related differences of these diseases is essential for developing personalized treatments and interventions that account for the unique epigenetic landscapes of each sex. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7d47c495971d41abb2a3277d694b9368 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2079-7737 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Biology |
| spelling | doaj-art-7d47c495971d41abb2a3277d694b93682025-01-24T13:23:39ZengMDPI AGBiology2079-77372025-01-011419810.3390/biology14010098Epigenetic Mechanisms Underlying Sex Differences in Neurodegenerative DiseasesAndrea Stoccoro0Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, Medical School, University of Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, ItalyNeurodegenerative diseases are characterized by profound differences between females and males in terms of incidence, clinical presentation, and disease progression. Furthermore, there is evidence suggesting that differences in sensitivity to medical treatments may exist between the two sexes. Although the role of sex hormones and sex chromosomes in driving differential susceptibility to these diseases is well-established, the molecular alterations underlying these differences remain poorly understood. Epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation, histone tail modifications, and the activity of non-coding RNAs, are strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. While it is known that epigenetic mechanisms play a crucial role in sexual differentiation and that distinct epigenetic patterns characterize females and males, sex-specific epigenetic patterns have been largely overlooked in studies aiming to identify epigenetic alterations associated with neurodegenerative diseases. This review aims to provide an overview of sex differences in epigenetic mechanisms, the role of sex-specific epigenetic processes in the central nervous system, and the main evidence of sex-specific epigenetic alterations in three neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Understanding the sex-related differences of these diseases is essential for developing personalized treatments and interventions that account for the unique epigenetic landscapes of each sex.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/14/1/98epigeneticssex biasneurodegenerative diseasesAlzheimer’s diseaseParkinson’s diseaseamyotrophic lateral sclerosis |
| spellingShingle | Andrea Stoccoro Epigenetic Mechanisms Underlying Sex Differences in Neurodegenerative Diseases Biology epigenetics sex bias neurodegenerative diseases Alzheimer’s disease Parkinson’s disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis |
| title | Epigenetic Mechanisms Underlying Sex Differences in Neurodegenerative Diseases |
| title_full | Epigenetic Mechanisms Underlying Sex Differences in Neurodegenerative Diseases |
| title_fullStr | Epigenetic Mechanisms Underlying Sex Differences in Neurodegenerative Diseases |
| title_full_unstemmed | Epigenetic Mechanisms Underlying Sex Differences in Neurodegenerative Diseases |
| title_short | Epigenetic Mechanisms Underlying Sex Differences in Neurodegenerative Diseases |
| title_sort | epigenetic mechanisms underlying sex differences in neurodegenerative diseases |
| topic | epigenetics sex bias neurodegenerative diseases Alzheimer’s disease Parkinson’s disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/14/1/98 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT andreastoccoro epigeneticmechanismsunderlyingsexdifferencesinneurodegenerativediseases |