Abstract
•Neurodegenerative diseases onset and pathology are influenced by gender and genetic mechanisms.•Sex dimorphism occurs in virtually all neurodegenerative diseases.•Mitochondrial functions and epigenetic modifications are mechanisms triggering sex differences in neurodegenerative diseases.
The impact of neurodegenerative disorders in humans has multiple consequences because of the progressive decline in cognitive and physical performances. These disorders have diverse manifestations and are influenced by genetic and lifestyle factors, concurrent health conditions as well as un-modifiable predisposing risk factors, including gender and advanced age. Accumulating evidence indicates a gender-dependent natural bias of neurodegenerative diseases, such as, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington’s disease and multiple sclerosis, with the ratio of male to female prevalence as well as the severity of the disease differing significantly between the two sexes. This observation has recently garnered much attention and it is now being realized that understanding the sex as a biological variable in the etiology of the neurodegenerative diseases may advance the status of the pathophysiology and treatment strategies while improving the associated decline in cognitive and functional abilities. This review highlights the influence of gender in neurodegenerative disorders and further discusses the sex-specific pre-determined microenvironments that are critical in predisposing the individuals to such disorders.