There are differences between men and women, which are present at all levels of the organization of the head section of the nervous systems, from genetic to cellular. This is confirmed by Russian scientists from the Institute of Experimental Medicine and the Military Medical Academy named after S. M. Kirov, who published an article in the Journal of Neuroscience Research.
Researchers have studied how mutations in the gene encoding the galanine protein affect the susceptibility of men to multiple sclerosis (MS) compared to women. Scientists relied on previous results, which showed that increased concentrations of this protein were present in brain samples from those who died from MS. During the study, they compared the frequency of more active and less active gene variants (alleles) among healthy and sick people.
The study involved 111 patients (including 69 women) who were diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. The control group included 115 people (50 women) who did not suffer from an autoimmune disease. The average age of people in these groups did not differ statistically.
Scientists initially found no difference between healthy and sick participants. However, among men who did not suffer from sclerosis, the frequency of less active variants of the gene was half that of healthy women. At the same time, this allele made men more susceptible to MS, but at the same time slowed down the progress of the disease.
According to scientists, they have shown that gender determines differences in the human nervous system. The results will help develop a personalized strategy for the prevention and treatment of multiple sclerosis.
