Published July 13, 2023, in Axios Science
LOS ANGELES, CA – Doctors and scientists have long recognized certain diseases affect men and women differently, but the dosage and design of drugs remain the same. In this newest article with contributing information from PearlPAK inventor and Professor of Neurology at UCLA, Dr. Rhonda Voskuhl, learn how scientists are uncovering how biological sex differences—rooted in sex chromosomes and hormones—affect disease risk and treatment outcomes. Her research shows that genes on the X chromosome and hormone shifts, such as estrogen loss during menopause, play a critical role in autoimmune diseases, cognitive decline, and neurodegeneration.
In the U.S. 80% of autoimmune disease cases are female and nearly two-thirds of Alzheimer’s patients over 65 are women. Yet females have historically been underrepresented in clinical research. Dr. Voskuhl emphasizes that studying sex differences can reveal “important clues” for new therapies, including treatments now in development for menopause-related brain fog.
The findings underscore a shift toward personalized medicine that incorporates sex as a biological variable, with the potential to transform care for both women and men.
The bottom line: “The sexes are equal but very different,” Voskuhl says.
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About UCLA Health: UCLA Health is among the nation’s premier academic medical systems, recognized for excellence in patient care, research, and education. The Department of Neurology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA is internationally known for advancing treatments in multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and neurodegenerative disorders. Through discovery and innovation, UCLA Health scientists continue to translate laboratory breakthroughs into therapies that improve lives worldwide.
About Axios Science: Axios Science is a digital news publication covering major developments in health, medicine, and scientific innovation. With a mission to make complex science accessible, Axios provides concise, fact-based reporting that highlights discoveries shaping the future of human health and technology.
About CleopatraRX™: CleopatraRX™ is a women’s health company dedicated to improving brain health during menopause through targeted hormone replacement therapy. Founded on discoveries from Dr. Rhonda Voskuhl’s UCLA laboratory, CleopatraRX developed the patented PearlPAK® treatment—the first hormone therapy designed to target cognition by activating estrogen receptors in the brain. Through science-based innovation and integrated telehealth care, CleopatraRX is redefining how women manage cognitive symptoms during midlife and beyond.