Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 4 — Narrative / commentaryPeer-reviewed

Sex and gender in neurodevelopmental conditions

Sven Bölte, Janina Neufeld, Peter B. Marschik, Zachary J. Williams, Louise Gallagher, Meng‐Chuan Lai

Nature Reviews Neurology · 2023

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Summary

This narrative review in Nature Reviews Neurology synthesises current understanding of how biological sex and social gender shape the clinical expression and recognition of neurodevelopmental conditions. The paper appears to highlight diagnostic disparities and sex-specific phenotypes, suggesting that current diagnostic frameworks may inadequately capture condition manifestation in certain demographic groups. The authors review evidence across multiple neurodevelopmental domains to contextualise the clinical and research implications of these differences.

Regional applicability

The findings are relevant to UK clinical practice and NHS diagnostic pathways, which may benefit from sex- and gender-informed refinement of assessment tools and screening protocols for neurodevelopmental conditions. The review may inform UK educational and health policy on equitable diagnosis and support provision.

Key measures

Diagnostic criteria application, prevalence rates by sex/gender, symptom presentation patterns, diagnostic age and pathways

Outcomes reported

The paper examines how sex and gender factors influence the diagnosis, presentation, and outcomes of neurodevelopmental conditions. It reviews evidence on sex differences in prevalence, symptom manifestation, and diagnostic pathways across conditions such as autism and ADHD.

Theme
General food systems / other
Subject
Other / interdisciplinary
Study type
Narrative Review
Study design
Narrative review
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
International
System type
Other
DOI
10.1038/s41582-023-00774-6
Catalogue ID
SNmoj7nt2d-99gfd6

Topic tags

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