Support for Underrepresented Scientists

Amplifying Underrepresented Voices

The Life Science Editors Foundation participated in NASA’s Year of Open Science with the Transform to Open Science (TOPS) initiative. We encourage you to read TOPS Open Science Guide, to join the TOPS email list and to participate in TOPS events. To engage with underrepresented communities in the advancement of open science, we established LSEF Preprint Picks, which are preprints that have been reviewed by one of our volunteers.

To highlight contributions from scientists who are from groups who have been historically underrepresented in the scientific community, we are using ScienceCast and NotebookLM to generate Casts, Podcasts and FAQs.

1. A second X chromosome improves cognition in aging male and female mice.
   • Cast
   • Podcast
   • FAQ:
   • 1. What is the main finding of the study?
   • The study found that female mice are more resilient to age-related cognitive decline than male mice. This resilience is linked to the presence of a second X chromosome, regardless of the presence or absence of ovaries or a Y chromosome.
   • 2. How was the study conducted?
   • Researchers used two genetic mouse models, the Four Core Genotypes (FCG) and the XY* model, to isolate the effects of sex chromosomes and gonads on cognitive aging. They tested the mice’s spatial and working memory using the two-trial Y maze. Additionally, they performed a proteomic analysis of the hippocampus, a brain region crucial for memory, in aged female mice with two X chromosomes (XX) and those with a single X chromosome (XO).
   • 3. What did the Y maze experiments reveal?
   • The Y maze experiments showed that aged female mice consistently performed better than aged male mice, indicating superior cognitive function. By manipulating the presence of the X and Y chromosomes in different mouse groups, the researchers found that the presence of a second X chromosome was the key factor associated with improved cognitive performance in aging.
   • 4. Did the presence of ovaries play a role in cognitive resilience?
   • While ovaries did contribute to improved cognitive function, the effect of the second X chromosome was independent of and stronger than the effect of the ovaries. This was demonstrated by the fact that even in mice without ovaries, those with two X chromosomes still showed better cognitive performance than those with only one.
   • 5. Did the Y chromosome have any negative impact on cognitive function?
   • No, the study did not find any evidence that the Y chromosome contributes to cognitive decline. Male mice with two X chromosomes performed just as well as female mice with two X chromosomes, suggesting that the Y chromosome does not have a detrimental effect on cognitive function.
   • 6. How did the second X chromosome affect the hippocampal proteome?
   • The proteomic analysis revealed that the presence of a second X chromosome led to changes in the expression of numerous proteins throughout the entire genome. Notably, a second X chromosome increased the expression of proteins involved in the synaptogenesis signaling pathway, which is crucial for the formation and function of synapses in the brain.
   • 7. What is the significance of the synaptogenesis pathway finding?
   • Synapses are the connections between neurons, and their proper function is essential for learning and memory. The finding that a second X chromosome enhances the synaptogenesis pathway suggests that this may be one of the mechanisms by which it confers cognitive resilience.
   • 8. What are the potential implications of this study for humans?
   • While the study was conducted in mice, it provides valuable insights into the role of sex chromosomes in cognitive aging. The findings suggest that strategies targeting the pathways influenced by the second X chromosome could potentially lead to new therapies for age-related cognitive decline in both men and women.

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