Australian researchers revealed in a study – the results of which were published Wednesday in the journal Nature Communications – that women are more susceptible than men to genetically developing depressive disorders, which may 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 people with depression to identify common genetic “markers.”
According to the project led by the Berghofer Institute for Medical Research in Australia, women had nearly twice as many genetic markers associated with depression than men.
Researcher Judy Thomas explained – in a statement – that “identifying common and specific genetic factors in men and women allows us to better understand the causes of depression, and paves the way for more personalized treatments.”
Researchers have identified nearly 13,000 genetic markers associated with depression in women, compared to 7,000 in men.
Some of these genetic differences may also affect metabolism or hormone production.
“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,” Thomas said.
Depression is one of the most common mental disorders, affecting more than 300 million people around the world, according to the World Health Organization.
“Until now, not many reliable studies have been conducted to explain the different effects of depression on women and men, including the possible role of genetic factors,” said researcher Brittany Mitchell.
She added, “An increasing number of articles indicate that many of the drugs currently being developed and the research conducted to date focus primarily on men.”