SYDNEY \u2013 Women are genetically at higher risk of clinical depression than men, Australian researchers found in a study published on Oct 8 that could change how the disorder is treated. <\/p>\n
Billed as one of the largest-ever studies of its kind, scientists pored through the DNA of almost 200,000 people with depression to pinpoint shared genetic \u201cflags\u201d.<\/p>\n
Women had almost twice as many of these genetic markers linked to depression as men, according to the project led by Australia\u2019s Berghofer Medical Research Institute.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe genetic component to depression is larger in females compared with males,\u201d researcher Jodi Thomas said.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnpacking the shared and unique genetic factors in males and females gives us a clearer picture of what causes depression \u2013 and opens the door to more personalised treatments.\u201d<\/p>\n
It has long been known that depression is more common in women, but the biological causes remain something of a mystery.<\/p>\n
Around 13,000 genetic markers were linked with depression in women, the researchers found, compared with 7,000 markers in men.<\/p>\n
Some of these genetic changes could alter biological pathways linked to metabolism or hormone production. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe found some genetic differences that may help explain why females with depression more often experience metabolic symptoms, such as weight changes or altered energy levels,\u201d Dr Thomas said. <\/p>\n
Researcher Brittany Mitchell said the findings could lead to changes in how depression is treated in women. <\/p>\n
\u201cUntil now, there hasn\u2019t been much consistent research to explain why depression affects females and males differently, including the possible role of genetics,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are more and more stories coming out about how many of the medications that are currently developed \u2013 and the research that we\u2019ve known to date \u2013 have mostly been focused on men or male participants.\u201d <\/p>\n
Clinical depression, or major depressive disorder, is one of the most common mental disorders in the world. <\/p>\n
More than 300 million people across the globe have depression, according to the World Health Organisation.<\/p>\n
The study was published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Communications. AFP<\/p>\n
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