Study reveals: Women are more susceptible to depression

SadaNews - Australian researchers revealed in a study published in "Nature Communications" that women are genetically more prone to depression disorders than men, which could change the way this disease is treated.

In this peer-reviewed study, considered one of the largest ever conducted in this field, scientists analyzed the DNA of nearly 200,000 individuals suffering from depression to identify common genetic "signs".

According to the project led by the Berghofer Institute of Medical Research in Australia, women had nearly double the number of genetic markers associated with depression compared to men.

Researcher Judy Thomas stated in a press release, "Identifying common and sex-specific genetic factors allows us to better understand the causes of depression and paves the way for more personalized treatments."

The researchers identified nearly 13,000 genetic markers linked to depression in women, compared to 7,000 markers in men.

Some of these genetic differences may also affect metabolic processes or hormone production.

Thomas continued, "We discovered some genetic differences that may help us explain why women with depression experience more metabolic symptoms such as weight fluctuations or changes in energy levels."

Depression is one of the most common mental disorders, affecting over 300 million people worldwide, according to the World Health Organization.

Researcher Brittany Mitchell said, "So far, there have not been many reliable studies to explain the differences in how depression affects women and men, including the potential role of genetic factors."

She added, "An increasing number of articles suggest that many of the drugs currently being developed and the research conducted so far primarily focus on men."

Source: AFP