In our first episode of the XXplored Women's Brain Health podcast, our resident expert and host Dr Laura Stankeviciute from University of Gothenburg engages with leading neuroscientists Professor Liisa Galea from University of Toronto and Dr Maria Teresa Ferretti from Karolinska Institutet to explore the critical intersection of sex, gender, and brain health.

Together our guests discuss their personal journeys into neuroscience, the biological differences in brain health, the impact of hormonal changes, and the vulnerability of women to Alzheimer's disease. The conversation also addresses the barriers to inclusion in clinical research, the implications of neurosexism, and the importance of precision medicine. The episode emphasises the need for early diagnosis and the societal stigma surrounding women's health issues, while advocating for a more inclusive and evidence-based approach to brain health research and treatment.

This first show sets the scene for what will be an ongoing series of shows, delivered within the Dementia Researcher podcast.

Takeaways

● Sex differences shape the brain at every level – structure, hormones, immunity, and function.

● Menopause is a key vulnerability window for women’s brain ageing and Alzheimer’s risk.

● Women face higher Alzheimer’s prevalence, not just because they live longer.

● Women were excluded from trials for decades, leaving dangerous gaps in knowledge.

● Fear of neurosexism and misunderstandings of feminism slowed progress.

● Precision medicine must include sex and gender or risk missing early diagnoses.

● Research funding and clinical guidelines lag far behind need.

● Momentum is building: younger researchers and public interest are pushing change.

● Core message: Different ≠ inferior. Diversity drives discovery.

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Find more information on our guests, and a full transcript of this podcast on our website at:

https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/podcast

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The views and opinions expressed by guests in this podcast represent those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of University College London, Dementia Researcher or its funders.

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