Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41933422›Full record

ArticleBiology of sex differences2026

Sex-related differences in Huntington's disease: a scoping review.

Greta Hemicker, Katarína Schwarzová, Clancy Cerejo, Samuel Labrecque, Marina Peball, Federico Carbone, Bernadette Wimmer, Atbin Djamshidian, Klaus Seppi, Beatrice Heim

Abstract readScoping Review
In one paragraph

Article in Biology of sex differences, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Greta HemickerDepartment of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
Katarína SchwarzováDepartment of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
Clancy CerejoDepartment of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
Samuel LabrecqueDepartment of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
Marina PeballDepartment of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
Federico CarboneDepartment of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
Bernadette WimmerDepartment of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
Atbin DjamshidianDepartment of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
Klaus SeppiDepartment of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
Beatrice HeimDepartment of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria. Beatrice.heim@i-med.ac.at.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundHuntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal-dominant neurodegenerative disorder and emerging evidence indicates sex-specific differences in disease manifestation and progression.

objectiveTo summarize current evidence on sex-related differences in HD across genetic, clinical, biomarker, and treatment domains and identify gaps in knowledge.

methodsA literature search was performed in PubMed and Google Scholar (up to 31.01.2026). Eligible studies examined sex- or gender-related differences in individuals with genetically confirmed HD or those at risk. Meta-analyses, reviews, animal studies, theses, abstracts only, and non-English papers were excluded. After screening and full-text review, secondary citation tracking identified further studies. Sex was defined as the biological classification of participants (male/female) as originally reported, whereas gender was defined as socially constructed roles or identities, where explicitly assessed. Terminology in this review reflects the terminology used in the original publications.

resultsFourty-four studies met inclusion criteria. Genetic studies showed similar cytosine-adenine-guanine (CAG) repeat lengths across sexes when parent-of-origin was not considered, while paternal transmission was consistently linked to repeat expansion and earlier disease onset. Clinically, women more frequently exhibited depression, irritability, and greater functional impairment, whereas men more often showed apathy and substance misuse. Medication patterns differed, with women being more likely to receive antidepressants and anxiolytics, and men antipsychotics. Biomarker studies indicated potential sex-related differences in body composition, uric acid, neuroimaging, and hormonal profiles, though available evidence remained heterogeneous and exploratory.

conclusionsSex-related differences in HD are evident in genetic transmission, psychiatric symptoms, functional decline, and medication use. Biomarker findings suggest additional sex-specific biological signatures.

Indexed as

Huntington DiseaseSex CharacteristicsAnimalsFemaleHumansMaleBiomarkerClinical phenotypeGeneticsHuntington’s diseaseRare neurodegenerative diseaseSex-related differences

Identifiers

PMID41933422
PMCPMC13173938

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.