US EditionPublished • loading... • Updated
Study finds women have higher genetic risk of depression
The global study analyzed DNA from 200,000 people and identified about 13,000 genetic markers linked to depression in females, twice as many as in males, researchers said.
- QIMR Berghofer researchers led by Dr Jodi Thomas found females carry a much higher genetic risk of major depression, analysing DNA from about 200,000 people including about 130,000 females and 65,000 males, with findings published in Nature Communications.
- To address those gaps, researchers separated females and males because "we already know that females are twice as likely to suffer from depression in their lifetime than males," Dr Brittany Mitchell said.
- Researchers found about 7,000 shared DNA changes and 6,000 female‑specific changes, with females showing metabolic symptoms and males displaying substance abuse and risk‑taking behaviors.
- Dr Jodi Thomas said the data `unpacking the shared and unique genetic factors in males and females gives us a clearer picture of what causes depression and opens the door to more personalized treatments`, as researchers made results publicly available for further analysis.
- Genetic findings show the innate genetic differences are present from birth and female genetic links overlap with metabolic traits, while authors noted intersex and gender identity data remain important for future research directions and potential therapeutics.
Insights by Ground AI
11 Articles
11 Articles
Coverage Details
Total News Sources11
Leaning Left1Leaning Right4Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Right
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Right
50% Right
13%
C 37%
R 50%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
