The publication analyses a central problem of biomedical and neuroscientific research: Over many years, studies have frequently been conducted based on predominately male samples and differences between the sexes not systematically analysed. Simultaneously, the social and cultural influence of gender roles on health, attitudes and disease progression are often not considered.

The authors show that biological factors (e.g., hormones and genetics) as well as psychosocial factors (role models, stress, and attitudes and behaviour regarding health) can have a decisive influence on how disease occurs, is perceived, and treated. On this basis, the international panel of researchers formulated thirteen concrete recommendations, which should support researchers from study planning and data evaluation to reporting.

Avoiding blind spots in research

Insufficient consideration of sex and gender aspects can lead to distorted research results or results that are only transferable to a limited extent – for example, when therapies have different effects on women than on men or symptoms are interpreted differently. The recommendations aim to increase scientific quality and make research results more relevant and reliable for everyone.

“If we don’t consider sex and gender, we risk blind spots in research,” explains Kunz. “Our recommendations show how studies can be designed to reveal differences, and therefore ultimately improve care.”

Contribution from Augsburg

Kunz brings her proven expertise working at the interface of psychology, medicine, and social sciences to her research. Her research is concerned with the question of how biological and psychosocial factors influence joint perception, attitudes, and health – an approach that also significantly shapes the publication. “It is decisive in neuroscience and medicine now to not consider biological and social dimensions separately. Only in this way can we really understand complex phenomena such as pain, stress, and the progression of disease,” says Kunz.

International guidelines with a signalling effect

The publication in Nature Neuroscience is aimed at researchers worldwide and intended to offer practice-orientated guidelines for contemporary, responsible science. The authors emphasise that the consideration of sex and gender is not an additional consideration, but rather a fundamental quality factor for good research.

Original publication

Recommendations for the inclusion and study of sex and gender in research,
Nature Neuroscience (2025),

DOI: 10.1038/s41593-025-02164-1

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