Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have identified a molecular mechanism that makes men and women perceive touch differently. The findings, published in the journal eLife, could pave the way for new treatments for pain and other sensory disorders.

The researchers found that a protein called TRPV1, which is responsible for sensing heat and pain, is expressed at different levels in men and women. Men have higher levels of TRPV1 in their skin, which makes them more sensitive to touch than women.

This difference in TRPV1 expression is regulated by the sex hormone estrogen. Estrogen decreases the expression of TRPV1, which makes women less sensitive to touch.

The researchers also found that the difference in TRPV1 expression between men and women is not only due to genetics. It is also influenced by environmental factors, such as stress and diet.

These findings could have implications for the treatment of pain and other sensory disorders. For example, drugs that target TRPV1 could be used to treat chronic pain in men and women.

The findings could also lead to new treatments for sensory disorders, such as autism and schizophrenia. These disorders are often characterized by differences in sensory processing, and the TRPV1 protein could be a potential target for new therapies.

Overall, this study provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms that underlie sex differences in touch perception. These findings could lead to new treatments for pain and other sensory disorders.