Genetic Study Reveals Why Women Face Double the Risk of Depression Compared to Men

The findings were published in the journal 'Nature Communications' (Representational)

New research reveals that women possess 6,000 unique gene variants associated with depression, in addition to 7,000 variants shared with men, potentially explaining why females experience double the risk of this mental health condition.

Gene variants represent alterations in a gene's DNA sequence that may be inherited from parents or develop spontaneously in individuals.

According to research published in 'Nature Communications', genetic factors appear to have a more significant influence on depression risk in women compared to men.

"We've established that females have twice the likelihood of experiencing depression during their lifetime compared to males," explained Brittany Mitchell, senior researcher at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Australia.

"We also recognize that depression manifests quite differently from person to person. Until recently, there has been limited consistent research explaining the gender differences in depression, including potential genetic contributions," Mitchell noted.

The researchers analyzed genetic data from approximately 130,000 women and 65,000 men with depression across Australia, The Netherlands, the UK, and US, making it the "largest study of its kind," according to the research team.

The scientists additionally examined data from nearly 160,000 women and over 130,000 men without depression.

Their analysis "demonstrated that all 7,111 causal variants for MDD (major depressive disorder) in males were shared with MDD in females, with an additional 6,133 variants unique to MDD in females and zero variants unique to MDD in males."

The genetic variations linked to depression showed more significant overlap with metabolic traits in women, which "may help explain why females with depression more frequently experience metabolic symptoms, such as weight fluctuations or energy level changes," said Jodi Thomas, researcher at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute.

These findings provide genetic evidence for the differential presentation of depression between women and men, the researchers concluded.

The team emphasized that the DNA changes identified in the study are genetic differences present from birth, rather than resulting from life experiences.

"These findings underscore the importance of considering sex-specific genetic influences when studying depression and other health conditions," Thomas stated.