Recommendations for a Better Understanding of Sex and Gender in the Neuroscience of Mental Health

There are prominent sex/gender differences in the prevalence, expression, and life span course of mental health and neurodiverse conditions. However, the underlying sex- and gender-related mechanisms and their interactions are still not fully understood. This lack of knowledge has harmful consequences for those with mental health problems. Therefore, we set up a cocreation session in a 1-week workshop with a multidisciplinary team of 25 researchers, clinicians, and policy makers to identify the main barriers in sex and gender research in the neuroscience of mental health. Based on this work, here we provide recommendations for methodologies, translational research, and stakeholder involvement. These include guidelines for recording, reporting, analysis beyond binary groups, and open science. Improved understanding of sex- and gender-related mechanisms in neuroscience may benefit public health because this is an important step toward precision medicine and may function as an archetype for studying diversity. There are significant differences between males and females in the ways that mental health issues like autism are expressed and diagnosed, but we don't fully understand why these differences exist. This lack of understanding is harmful for people with mental health problems. To address this, a team of scientists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and policymakers worked together for a week to find out what is blocking progress in studying these differences. They came up with suggestions for how to improve research methods, involve the public and patients, and share information openly. These recommendations could help us better understand these differences and improve mental health care for everyone.