Sex And Gender Differences In Pharmacology

A trailblazing assessment of sex and gender differences in reactions to drug therapy, this volume reflects the topic’s growing recognition. Analyses by international experts on both pharmacokinetics and drug development are informed by an extensive data set.

Biological sex and gender have a tremendous impact on the efficacy and safety of pharmacological interventions in virtually every disease state. This book presents a comprehensive and up-to-date overview on how sex-specific information is guiding the diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting men and women, as well as of disease states that disproportionally affects women. Experts in various fields discuss both preclinical and clinical research that is contributing to a better understanding of the impact of sex in the presentation, etiology, treatment, and disease outcomes. Also discussed are the challenges encountered in implementing this growing body of knowledge into practice, as well as possible avenues to recognize and reduce health disparities between men and women so that therapeutic interventions are tailored and improved.

Drug Discovery and Evaluation has become a more and more difficult, expensive and time-consuming process. The effect of a new compound has to be detected by in vitro and in vivo methods of pharmacology. The activity spectrum and the potency compared to existing drugs have to be determined. As these processes can be divided up stepwise we have designed a book series "Drug Discovery and Evaluation" in the form of a recommendation document. The methods to detect drug targets are described in the first volume of this series "Pharmacological Assays" comprising classical methods as well as new technologies. Before going to man, the most suitable compound has to be selected by pharmacokinetic studies and experiments in toxicology. These preclinical methods are described in the second volume „Safety and Pharmacokinetic Assays". Only then are first studies in human beings allowed. Special rules are established for Phase I studies. Clinical pharmacokinetics are performed in parallel with human studies on tolerability and therapeutic effects. Special studies according to various populations and different therapeutic indications are necessary. These items are covered in the third volume: „Methods in Clinical Pharmacology".

"Psychopharmacology and Women: Sex, Gender and HormoHHnes" brings together in one volume much of the information currently available on sex-related factors in psychopharmacology. Chapters by recognised leaders in the field cover topics such as basic pharmacokinetic mechanisms of psychotropics in women, associations among endogenous hormones and neurotransmitters, and interactions of psychotropics with exogenous sex steroid hormones to psychopharmacological considerations relating to the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and lactation, and the menopause. In addition to providing comprehensive reviews of new theories and treatments, chapter authors point out where gaps in knowledge remain.

This fully revised and significantly expanded second edition examines sex and gender differences in the immune system's response to bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections. The volume discusses both common and distinct molecular mechanisms that mediate these differences and illustrates how responses to vaccines may differ between the sexes and in pregnant individuals. Special emphasis is placed on the interplay between hormones and the immune system in the pathogenesis of HIV, SARS-CoV-2, influenza, malaria, tuberculosis, and amebiasis. This second edition includes completely rewritten chapters as well as all new contents. This book is intended for researchers in academia and industry as well as clinicians in the fields of microbiology, immunology, and pharmacology. By expanding knowledge in sex and gender medicine as a basis for developing personalized treatment strategies, the book contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals 3 (health and well-being) and 5 (gender equality).

“Sex, Gender and Substance Use” describes how both biological and social factors affect people's use of substances. There is a lot of research carried out on substance use, prevention and treatment in which sex and gender are missing. This book describes the concepts of sex and gender, what they mean and why including them in substance use research, practice and policy is vital. Substances such as alcohol, drugs, nicotine, and tobacco all have differential effects on females and males. Social and cultural gendered factors affect how women and men react to prevention, treatment and policies. The book includes numerous examples of how sex- and gender-sensitive research can increase our understanding and improve prevention and treatment, and why striving for gender-transformative substance use practice and research remains a gold standard.

Sex and Gender Differences in Alzheimer’s Disease: The Women’s Brain Project offers for the first time a critical overview of the evidence documenting sex and gender differences in Alzheimer’s disease neurobiology, biomarkers, clinical presentation, treatment, clinical trials and their outcomes, and socioeconomic impact on both patients and caregivers. This knowledge is crucial for clinical development, digital health solutions, as well as social and psychological support to Alzheimer’s disease families, in the frame of a precision medicine approach to Alzheimer’s disease.This book brings together up-to-date findings from a variety of experts, covering basic neuroscience, epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, clinical trials development, socioeconomic factors, and psychosocial support. Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, remains an unmet medical need for the planet. Wide interpersonal variability in disease onset, presentation, and biomarker profile make Alzheimer’s a clinical challenge to neuroscientists, clinicians, and drug developers alike, resulting in huge management costs for health systems and society. Not only do women represent the majority of Alzheimer’s disease patients, but they also represent two-thirds of caregivers. Understanding sex and gender differences in Alzheimer’s disease will lead to novel insights into disease mechanisms, and will be crucial for personalized disease management strategies and solutions, involving both the patient and their family. Endorsements/Reviews: "There is a clear sex and gender gap in outcomes for brain health disorders like Alzheimer’s disease, with strikingly negative outcomes for women. This understanding calls for a more systematic way of approaching this issue of inequality. This book effectively highlights and frames inequalities in all areas across the translational spectrum from bench-to-bedside and from boardroom-to-policy and economics. Closing the Brain Health Gap will help economies create recovery and prepare our systems for future global shocks." Harris A. Eyre MBBS, PhD, co-lead, Neuroscience-inspired Policy Initiative, OECD and PRODEO Institute. Instructor in Brain Health Diplomacy, Global Brain Health Institute, UCSF and TCD. "Sex and Gender Differences in Alzheimer's disease is the most important title to emerge on Alzheimer's disease in recent years.This comprehensive, multidisciplinary book is a must read for anyone with a serious interest in dementia prevention, diagnosis, treatment, care, cure and research. Precision medicine is the future of healthcare and this book represents an incredible and necessary resource to guide practice, policy and research in light of the fact that Alzheimer's disease disproportionately affects women. The combination of contributions from the most eminent experts and the most up-to-date research makes this an invaluable resource for clinicians, care providers, academics, researchers and policy makers. Given the complex nature of dementia and the multiple factors that influence risk and disease trajectory the scope of the book is both impressive and important covering sex differences in neurobiological processes, sex and gender differences in clinical aspects and gender differences linked to socioeconomic factors relevant to Alzheimer's disease. If you work in Alzheimer's disease, or indeed other dementias, then Sex and Gender Differences in Alzheimer's disease is a must have for your bookshelf." -- Sabina Brennan, PhD., C.Psychol.,PsSI., National representative for Ireland on Alzheimer Disease International's Medical and Scientific Advisory Panel

This book is a concise, easy to read professional text with a focus on practical aspects. All chapters include tables on sex/gender differences in symptoms and management and a series of suggestions to the novice in the field. Chapters are specialty-specific. The focus is not on women’s health, but the presentation of differences in clinical symptoms, management and outcomes in women and men. Gender Medicine strives to employ the knowledge about these differences to improve diagnosis, better understand pathogenesis and advance patient-oriented therapy.