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  ## Breadcrumb

- [Home](/)
- [Living with Parkinson's](/living-with-parkinsons)
- [My PD Story](/living-with-parkinsons/stories)
 
  

 

  # My PD Story

 

   ![Ellen headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/470x550/public/images/ellen_hess.png?h=c9aea1bc&itok=AH0tCjUP)  

 Researchers 

##  Ellen Hess, PhD 

 

  ***2021 Impact Award***

### Understanding Gender Differences in Parkinson’s

Biological sex has a strong influence on the [symptoms](/understanding-parkinsons/movement-symptoms "Movement Symptoms") and course of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Ellen Hess, PhD, of Emory University, a Parkinson’s Foundation [Center of Excellence](/living-with-parkinsons/finding-care/global-care-network "Global Care Network"), received a Parkinson’s Foundation [George G. Kaufman Impact Award ](/advancing-research/for-researchers/awards-independent-investigators "Awards for Independent Investigators")to study sex differences in PD.

Previous research has established that males are two times more likely than females to develop Parkinson’s. Men also develop the disease at an earlier age than females and are more likely to have [bradykinesia](/understanding-parkinsons/movement-symptoms/bradykinesia "Bradykinesia (Slowness of Movement)") (slowness of movement). In later stages, men have increased daytime sleepiness.

“There are very few studies examining the underlying reasons for sex differences in movement disorders but our knowledge of sex differences in the biology of the central nervous system has grown in leaps and bounds in the past few years,” Dr. Hess said.

Women tend to have more Parkinson’s-related tremors. Women also have greater [anxiety](/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms/anxiety "Anxiety") and [depression](/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms/depression "Depression"), and more severe involuntary movements caused by the Parkinson’s medication levodopa. This is called L-DOPA-induced dyskinesias, or LIDs. Some research suggests estrogen may play a role in delaying or preventing Parkinson’s in women, but estrogen is probably not the only explanation for the differences between males and females.

“The biological reasons for the differences between the sexes are largely unknown and unexplored but nonetheless very important because understanding these differences could ultimately lead to personalized and more effective treatments that are targeted to males or females,” said Dr. Hess.

Dr. Hess’s research will examine sex differences in gene expression in basal ganglia in a mouse model of Parkinson’s and LIDs. The findings could lead to the discovery of drugs specifically targeted to male and female patients using a personalized medicine approach.

“Although I have been working in the role of dopamine in movement disorders for my entire scientific career, much of our work has focused on [dystonia](/understanding-parkinsons/movement-symptoms/dystonia "Dystonia"), this is actually our first grant on Parkinson’s disease,” said Dr. Hess. “The Parkinson’s Foundation grant is providing my laboratory the opportunity to expand the focus of our work and, for the first time, to contribute to Parkinson’s disease research in a meaningful way.”

  ##  Related Materials 

   Books 

###  [ Women and Parkinson's Research and Care Agenda ](/library/books/women-research-care-agenda) 



 [Read Now](/library/books/women-research-care-agenda)

   Podcasts 

###  [ Episode 50: Encountering Gender Differences: Women and PD Initiative ](/library/podcast/50) 



 [Listen Now](/library/podcast/50)

   Podcasts 

###  [ Episode 131: Addressing the Unmet Needs of Women with PD ](/library/podcast/131) 



 [Listen Now](/library/podcast/131)

  

  ##  More Stories 

 from the Parkinson's community

   ![Wilma van de Berg](/sites/default/files/styles/340x400/public/images/Wilma%20Van%20Berg%20Headshot.png?h=c9aea1bc&itok=h2_ydEqq)  

 Researchers 

###  [ Wilma van de Berg ](/living-with-parkinsons/stories/wilma-van-de-berg) 

  READ NOW  

 

 ![Heba Deraz, MD, PhD Headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/340x400/public/images/Heba%20Deraz%2C%20MD%2C%20PhD.png?h=c9aea1bc&itok=1EZm7iUx)  

 Researchers 

###  [ Heba Deraz, MD, PhD ](/living-with-parkinsons/stories/heba-deraz) 

  READ NOW  

 

 ![Patrick Lewis, PhD headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/340x400/public/images/Patrick%20Lewis%2C%20PhD.png?h=c9aea1bc&itok=gfrtN2FK)  

 Researchers 

###  [ Patrick Lewis, PhD ](/living-with-parkinsons/stories/patrick-lewis) 

  READ NOW  

 

 

 [VIEW ALL STORIES](/living-with-parkinsons/stories) 

  

 

 ###  Join the PD GENEration Today 

 PD GENEration is an initiative that offers genetic testing and genetic counseling at no cost for people with Parkinson’s disease.

 [ENROLL NOW](/advancing-research/our-research/pdgeneration) 

 

 

 

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