A recent study revealed that female sex hormones, particularly estradiol, significantly accelerate retinal neurodegeneration in a mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Using RHO P23H mice, researchers found that female mice exhibited faster vision decline than males starting at two months. Hormonal interventions, including ovariectomy, improved visual function, whereas reintroducing estradiol reversed these benefits. The findings underscore the complex role of hormonal influences on RP progression and suggest potential avenues for tailored treatment strategies for retinal diseases.

Source: Science Advances