When Averages Hide the Difference: New Study Reveals Sex-Dependent Brain Delivery of a Neuroprotective Drug

A new study led by Prof. Illana Gozes from the Gray Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences at Tel Aviv University suggests that biological sex and hormonal status may play a key role in determining how effectively neuroprotective drugs reach the brain.

The study, which received international coverage through EurekAlert! and other leading science news platforms, examined davunetide, an investigational neuroprotective drug developed in Prof. Gozes' laboratory for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.

The researchers found that delivery of the drug through an intranasal spray differed significantly according to sex and hormonal state. In female mice, periods of elevated estrogen levels were associated with substantially greater transport of the drug into the brain compared with males. Analysis of human clinical data revealed a similar trend, with women reaching higher peak concentrations of the drug than men.

The findings suggest that biological differences between patients may influence how effectively treatments reach their target. As a result, clinical trials that rely primarily on average responses across all participants could potentially overlook meaningful therapeutic effects within specific subgroups.

The study highlights the importance of personalized medicine and underscores the need to consider sex and hormonal influences as key variables in the development and evaluation of therapies for neurological diseases.

Read the full article:
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1131617