Optimizing Study Design: Key Considerations for Hormonal Staging in Females and Males

Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre 

Accurately accounting for reproductive hormonal factors is essential for robust study design and advancing personalized medicine. Hormonal staging, the process of identifying and categorizing an individual's hormonal status at a specific point in time, is critical for disentangling the effects of specific hormonal phases, such as the menstrual cycle in females or diurnal testosterone rhythms in males, and for controlling the impact of hormonal fluctuations on outcomes like mood, cognition, and overall brain health. This talk will detail practical strategies for hormonal assessment, including timing measurements to specific hormonal phases, utilizing biomarkers, and addressing the influence of contraceptive use or hormonal therapies.