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| Gender inclusive  

Mapping of European activities on the integration of sex and gender factors in neurology and neuroscience

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Neurological disorders represent a major unmet medical need, and incorporating both biological (sex) and socio-cultural (gender) differences is crucial for developing more effective and personalized treatments. While sex and gender medicine is gaining momentum across Europe, its integration into neurology and neuroscience remains unclear. This study mapped current efforts in research, funding, and education across Europe to assess how sex and gender considerations are being applied in these fields. Using a combination of non-systematic and systematic searches of literature, policy documents, funding databases, and research outputs, the authors analyzed the extent of integration in various domains. Findings reveal increasing attention from both researchers and funding bodies, especially in research output and project funding. However, initiatives in education largely depend on individual researchers’ efforts and are not embedded within formal curricula or broader research strategies. The study concludes with recommendations to strengthen the systematic inclusion of sex and gender perspectives in neuroscience and neurology.

Author(s):
Hentzen et al.

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