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Sex differences in pain along the neuraxis.
Peyton Presto1, Mariacristina Mazzitelli1, Riley Junell1
1Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA.
Neuropharmacology
|March 25, 2022
Summary
Preclinical pain research historically excluded females, leading to male-biased findings. This review explores sex differences in pain processing, emphasizing the need for studies in both males and females.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pain Research
- Sex Differences
Background:
- Chronic pain disorders predominantly affect females.
- Preclinical pain studies have historically excluded female subjects.
- Male-biased research may not fully represent pain mechanisms in females.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review historical trends in sex differences research in pain.
- To examine current techniques for analyzing pain modulation in both sexes.
- To highlight the necessity of including both sexes in preclinical and clinical pain studies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of preclinical and clinical pain studies.
- Analysis of historical trends in subject sex inclusion.
- Examination of current methodologies for mechanistic pain analysis.
Main Results:
- Significant sex differences exist in pain processing at molecular, cellular, and systems levels.
- These differences are influenced by genetic, hormonal, and neuroimmune factors.
- Sex-specific differences may vary across different levels of the nervous system.
Conclusions:
- Sex differences in pain are a critical area requiring further investigation.
- Current research methodologies need to incorporate both male and female subjects.
- Understanding sex-based pain mechanisms is essential for developing effective, sex-specific treatments.
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