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BIOLOGICAL SEX DIFFERENCES IN COGNITIVE FUNCTION AND UNDERLYING MECHANISMS
Andrea Palomares Rodriguezand 3 co-authors
Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe
FENS Forum 2026 (2026)
Barcelona, Spain
Board PS06-09PM-502
Presentation
Date TBA
Board: PS06-09PM-502
Event Information
Poster Board
PS06-09PM-502
Poster
View posterAbstract
There is strong evidence supporting sex differences in cognitive function, neurodegenerative diseases and the neuroimmune system. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We aim to investigate how cognitive function and its underlying molecular mechanisms differ between sexes.
Male and female control Wistar rats performed Radial maze and Y maze tests to assess learning and memory. Western-blot was used to analyze hippocampal content and membrane expression of key protein and receptors modulating cognitive function. Glial activation and neuroinflammation was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence.
Females showed reduced performance in working memory and short-term spatial memory compared to males. They also present a pro-inflammatory phenotype in hippocampus, with higher levels of IL1β, increased glial activation and NFκB transcription factor levels. Females have higher levels of glutaminase and lower membrane expression levels of the NMDA and AMPA glutamate receptors. They also have imbalanced expression of certain GABAAR subunits, suggesting an impairment in hippocampal LTP.
We find basal differences between male and female Wistar rats in regards of cognitive function, and links it to a chronic-neuroinflammated-like phenotype in females. This study puts into focus the relevance of using mixed cohorts in scientific studies.
Male and female control Wistar rats performed Radial maze and Y maze tests to assess learning and memory. Western-blot was used to analyze hippocampal content and membrane expression of key protein and receptors modulating cognitive function. Glial activation and neuroinflammation was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence.
Females showed reduced performance in working memory and short-term spatial memory compared to males. They also present a pro-inflammatory phenotype in hippocampus, with higher levels of IL1β, increased glial activation and NFκB transcription factor levels. Females have higher levels of glutaminase and lower membrane expression levels of the NMDA and AMPA glutamate receptors. They also have imbalanced expression of certain GABAAR subunits, suggesting an impairment in hippocampal LTP.
We find basal differences between male and female Wistar rats in regards of cognitive function, and links it to a chronic-neuroinflammated-like phenotype in females. This study puts into focus the relevance of using mixed cohorts in scientific studies.
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