Brain cell changes may explain why Parkinson's affects more men than women

09 Jul 20264 min read0 viewsVerified Feed

GIST (Key Takeaways)

A new study, presented recently at the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS) Forum 2026 in Barcelona, Spain, uncovers genetic changes in brain cells that might help us understand why Parkinson’s is much more prevalent in males. Parkinson’s is the second-most prevalent neurodegenerative condition, affecting around 1% of people aged over 60 .
Due to many factors, including our increasing average age, the number of Parkinson’s cases is projected to reach approximately 9 million by 2030 , doubling cases since 2005. These figures are concerning, and given that current treatments are far from perfect, understanding the disease as much as possible is vital.
Males are around 1.5 times more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease than females. Additionally, females tend to develop the condition later than males and survive for longer.
These differences could be due to a range of factors, including an increased likelihood of men experiencing head injuries or exposure to pesticides, solvents, and metals. However, it is still an open question, and the latest study helps us begin to answer it.