Revolution in neuroscience: Focus on gender and glial cells!

Revolution in neuroscience: Focus on gender and glial cells!

The University of Regensburg (UR) and the University Hospital Regensburg (UKR) have specialized in gender-sensitive neuroscience in their latest research project. The focus here is on sex differences in glial cells, which play a key role in the central nervous system. Prof. Dr. Barbara Di Benedetto heads the Neuro-Glial Pharmacology working group, which has existed since 2014 and has acquired several important funding projects.

One of the outstanding projects is a transnational application in the DFG's DACH program entitled “Investigation of the gender-specific contribution of astrocytes and endothelial cells to the leaky blood-brain barrier in major depressive disorder (MDD)”. The partner in this project is Prof. Kerstin Lenk from the Graz University of Technology. The project will run from 2025 to 2028 and has a total volume of over 500,000 euros, which will be divided between the locations.

International exchange and education

Another notable funding project is the organization of an international summer school by the BMBF. This will take place from September 29th to October 2nd, 2025 at the UKR/UR and is entitled “GENIE - Sex differences in glial-neuron interactions in diseases of the CNS”. With a funding volume of 50,000 euros, this event aims to reduce the gender data gap in clinical research.

The summer school is aimed at students, doctoral candidates and postdocs and deals with gender-specific differences in glial cells as well as modern imaging and sequencing methods. National and international experts are invited to promote interdisciplinary exchange.

Long-term goals of the research

The research activities of the UR and the UKR aim to investigate the differences in glial cells between female and male individuals and to understand their effects on neurological diseases. In the long term, these findings should contribute to improving gender-specific diagnostics and therapy, including more targeted biomarkers and differentiated dosage recommendations for medications.

Another important step in research is the approved application for the DFG Priority Program (SPP) with the title “SEXandGLIA – Sex-dependent mechanisms of neuroglial cell functions in the context of health and diseases”. The program starts in 2026 and will run for six years with a first round of funding of around seven million euros. The coordination is the responsibility of Prof. Di Benedetto and Prof. Julia Schulze-Hentrich from Saarland University.

Background and relevance of gender-sensitive research

The need for gender-sensitive research approaches is highlighted by the different frequencies and reactions of neurological and psychiatric diseases in women and men. Many clinical standards continue to be based on male norms, leading to gaps in knowledge. Illnesses such as major depressive disorder and Alzheimer's disease often affect women, while men are more likely to be affected by autism and Parkinson's disease. The gender-specific approach is seen as key to the development of individual therapeutic approaches.

Prof. Di Benedetto, whose scientific career began at the Technical University of Munich and who completed her habilitation in 2019, emphasizes the role of glial cells, especially astrocytes, in brain development and psychiatric diseases. The research results will provide insights into genetic, epigenetic and hormonal factors that will enable gender-specific diagnostics and therapy in the future. This could make significant progress in the field of neuroscience.