Brain and Gender Research Group
Research Group Head
Genetic differences between the male and female brain may hold the key to understanding gender prevalence of neurological disorders. The Brain and Gender group uses a combination of biochemical, molecular genetic, anatomical, and behavioural approaches to investigate the underlying mechanisms that contribute to brain sex differences and sex bias in the prevalence and progression of brain diseases.
Research Projects
- SRY: A risk factor for Parkinson’s disease in males?
- Why are boys more susceptible to attention-deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) than girls?
- How are male and female brains different?
- De-masculinising the male brain
- Genetics of gender identity
Research Group
Hannah Loke, PhD Student
Paulo Pinares-Garcia, PhD Student
Selected publications
Czech DP*, Lee J*, Correia J, Loke H, Möller E, Harley VR (2014) Transient neuroprotection by SRY up-regulation in dopamine cells following injury in males. Endocrinology [Epub] PMID: 24708242 (joint first author).
Lee J, Harley V (2012) The male fight-flight response: A result of SRY regulation of catecholamines? Bioessays 34(6):545-7.
Czech DP, Lee J, Sim H, Parish CL, Vilain E, Harley VR (2012) The human testis determining factor SRY localizes in the substantia nigra and regulates multiple components of dopamine synthesis and metabolism. Journal of Neurochemistry 122(2):260-271.
Hare L, Bernard P, Sánchez FJ, Baird PN, Vilain E, Kennedy T, Harley VR (2009) Androgen receptor repeat length polymorphism associated with male-to-female transsexualism. Biological Psychiatry 65:93-96.
Dewing P, Chiang CWK., Sinchak K, Sim H, Fernagut P-O, Kelly S, Chesselet M-F, Micevych PE, Albrecht KH, Harley VR, Vilain E (2006) Direct regulation of adult brain function by the male-specific factor SRY. Current Biology 16:415-420.