In an effort to increase applicability of preclinical research to both men and women, the National Institute of Health is anticipated to put forth guidelines for the incorporation of sex as a variable in animal studies. Common myths and perceived barriers to the inclusion of females in neuroscience research are discussed and a roadmap for implementation provided. Accounting for sex as a variable does not require studying sex differences and is easier to implement than generally assumed.
Keywords: behavior; hormones; sex differences.
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