Australian Researchers Reveal Genetic Differences Between How Females And Males Experience Depression

Researchers in Australia have found important genetic differences that explain how females and males experience depression in different ways.

The important study, published in Nature Communications, shows that genetic factors affect the risk of depression more in females than in males.

Scientists from QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute found nearly twice as many genetic signs for depression in female DNA compared to male DNA.

Dr Brittany Mitchell, a Senior Researcher at QIMR Berghofer’s Genetic Epidemiology Lab, said that females are twice as likely to experience depression in their lifetime compared to males.

She added that while depression shows up differently in different people, there has not been much research on the genetic reasons for these differences between genders.

The team found about 7,000 DNA changes related to depression in both sexes and 6,000 more that only affect females.

Researcher Dr Jodi Thomas mentioned that depression looks different in females and males because of different genetic pathways.

The study showed a stronger link between depression-related genes and metabolic traits in females, which affects weight and energy levels.

Scientists analysed DNA from over 195,000 depression patients, including 130,000 females and 65,000 males, for insights. These genetic changes are inherited differences, not ones caused by environment or life experiences.

Dr Mitchell and Dr Thomas pointed out that most drug tests mainly use males, ignoring the genetic effects specific to females. They believe finding these special genetic patterns can help improve understanding and lead to better, personalised depression treatments around the world.

The results highlight how important it is to study sex-based genetic differences in mental health.

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