Unveiling sex-based differences in Parkinson's disease: a comprehensive meta-analysis of transcriptomic studies

Abstract

Highlights Females show a significant increase in the expression of MED31 in the frontal cortex. This gene is involved in lipid metabolism and neural diseases. We found 237 genes having sex-based significantly differential expression in substantia nigra. Functional profiling of these genes reveals a differential sex-related behavior in PD regarding their biological functions, protein-protein interaction networks, and transcription factors activation. There are remarkable sex based differential mechanisms in typical PD hallmarks: inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress. Studies on sex differences in PD are needed to improve more targeted interventions.

Keywords

• Parkinson disease
• Sex differences
• Meta-analysis
• Transcriptomics
• Neurodegeneration