Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

Neurodegenerative diseases (ND) affect ~15% of the world's population. ND affects memory, motor function, and daily life. Despite intensive research on ND, there has been limited success in developing treatments and cures. One major gap in current research is the limited understanding of the mechanisms by which biological sex influences ND risk, pathogenesis, and progression. For instance, studies show Alzheimer's disease is more common in women whereas Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) occur more frequently in men. Despite these clear patterns of disease risk, most studies used single- (often male) or mixed-sex animal groups, overlooking potentially important sex differences. Our research addresses this imbalance by independently studying males and females to identify sex-specific differences in ND-related symptoms such as lifespan and motor function. We also examine two key cellular processes involved in these diseases. In ND, certain proteins misfold and clump together into aggregates, disrupting normal cell function. Additionally, neurons produce lipid droplets, which are an organelle dedicated to intracellular lipid storage, at abnormally high levels in ND. Using well-established fruit fly models of neurodegeneration, we investigate how sex influences disease symptoms and progression. By uncovering sex-specific differences in protein aggregation and lipid metabolism, this research will build a more complete understanding of neurodegenerative diseases and contribute to the advancement of more equitable and effective treatments for both women and men.