Human study · Research · 2 Nov 2026
Support cells in brain tissue from 73 people with Parkinson's showed sex differences in energy-gene and myelin-gene activity
Source: SciTechDaily
What the research found
SciTechDaily, 2 November 2026, reported a Federation of European Neuroscience Societies Forum 2026 presentation from Julia Schulze-Hentrich. Brain tissue came from 73 people with Parkinson's disease (28 women and 45 men) and 24 people without it (9 women and 15 men). Gene activity in astrocytes, tied to mitochondria, differed by sex. Gene activity in oligodendrocytes, tied to myelin, also differed by sex. The group described shared stress responses plus these sex differences in support cells. Men are often reported to develop Parkinson's about 1.5 to 2 times as often as women; this tissue study does not by itself explain that gap, and it is not a therapy. Both sexes are in the sample, so the card is not tagged men only. Not medical advice.
Evidence level: Human study. A study in people, but an association isn't proof of cause.
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