SadaNews – Australian researchers found in a study published in “Nature Communications” that women are genetically more susceptible to depressive disorders than men, which could change how the disease is treated.
In this peer-reviewed study, considered one of the largest ever conducted in the field, scientists analyzed the DNA of nearly 200,000 individuals with depression to identify common genetic “signatures.”
A project led by Australia’s Berghofer Institute of Medical Research found that women had almost twice as many genetic markers associated with depression compared to men.
“Identifying common and gender-specific genetic factors may provide a better understanding of the causes of depression and pave the way for more personalized treatments,” researcher Judy Thomas said in a press release.
Researchers identified about 13,000 genetic markers associated with depression in women, compared to 7,000 in men.
Some of these genetic differences may also affect metabolic processes or hormone production.
“We discovered several genetic differences that may help explain why women with depression experience more metabolic symptoms, such as weight fluctuations or changes in energy levels,” Thomas continued.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression is one of the most common mental illnesses, affecting more than 300 million people worldwide.
“Until now, there has been limited reliable research explaining the differences in how depression affects women and men, including the potential role of genetic factors,” said researcher Brittany Mitchell.
She added: “More and more articles suggest that many of the drugs currently being developed and the studies conducted to date have focused primarily on men.”
Source: AFP
