Objective: To describe and address sex and gender gaps in Parkinson’s disease (PD) research through a multidisciplinary, multi-stakeholder approach that includes patient representatives, researchers, clinicians, and funding bodies.

Background: Despite evidence that PD prevalence, symptoms, and treatment responses differ between sexes, women remain underrepresented in PD research. The extrapolation of male-dominated study results to women can lead to adverse effects and suboptimal care. Hormonal influences—such as those related to menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and menopause—are poorly understood, and clinical trials often overlook sex- and gender-specific barriers, including caregiving responsibilities and accessibility challenges. Addressing these gaps is critical to advancing personalized and equitable treatments.

Method: On International Women’s Day 2025, Cure Parkinson’s and Parkinson’s UK hosted a panel discussion and webinar with 80 researchers, clinicians, people with PD, and charity stakeholders to explore why sex and gender gaps exist in PD research, how they can be addressed, and the barriers and facilitators to implementation. Key themes were extracted from discussions, contextualized with research literature and policy, and synthesized into a position paper outlining targeted actions.

Results: Key recommendations include:

Researchers

-Co-design clinical studies with women with PD, ensuring clinical trials accommodate barriers to participation, such as caregiving and accessibility challenges

-Mandated sex- and gender-disaggregated data reporting (including pharmacokinetics)

-Integrate female models in preclinical studies

Clinicians

-Consider hormonal influences on PD symptoms

-Adopt a more holistic approach to care

Charities and Funders

-Ensure research funding prioritizes sex- and gender-inclusive studies

-Develop information and training resources on sex differences in PD

Women with PD

-Engage in research

-Self-advocate for improved representation and care.

Conclusion: A multi-stakeholder approach is essential to addressing sex and gender disparities in PD research and care. Implementing these actions will enhance understanding of disease differences, facilitate tailored interventions, and ultimately improve patient care for all individuals with PD.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/addressing-sex-and-gender-gaps-in-parkinsons-research-a-multi-stakeholder-approach/