Jamaine Punzalan

Article (news)

Agence France-Presse

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1759884560525ben-blennerhassett-L7JGC_bgWyU-unsplash.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Ben Blennerhassett, Unsplash</span></span></span></div><p>Women are genetically at higher risk of clinical depression than men, Australian researchers found in a study published Wednesday that could change how the disorder is treated.</p><p>Billed as one of the largest-ever studies of its kind, scientists poured through the DNA of almost 200,000 people with depression to pinpoint shared genetic &quot;flags&quot;.</p><p>Women had almost twice as many of these genetic markers linked to depression than men, according to the project led by Australia&#x27;s Berghofer Medical Research Institute.</p><p>&quot;The genetic component to depression is larger in females compared to males,&quot; said researcher Jodi Thomas.</p><p>&quot;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 personalised treatments.&quot;</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2025/7/29/late-life-depression-learn-to-spot-the-signs-early-1039">Late-life depression: Learn to spot the signs early</a></div><p>It has long been known that depression is more common in women, but the biological causes remain something of a mystery.</p><p>Around 13,000 genetic markers were linked with depression in women, the researchers found, compared with 7,000 markers in men.</p><p>Some of these genetic changes could alter biological pathways linked to metabolism or hormone production.</p><p>&quot;We 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,&quot; Thomas said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/focus/01/04/19/social-media-linked-to-higher-risk-of-depression-in-teen-girls">Social media linked to higher risk of depression in teen girls</a></div><p>Researcher Brittany Mitchell said the findings could lead to changes in how depression is treated in women.</p><p>&quot;Until now, there hasn&#x27;t been much consistent research to explain why depression affects females and males differently, including the possible role of genetics,&quot; she said.</p><p>&quot;There are more and more stories coming out about how many of the medications that are currently developed -- and the research that we&#x27;ve known to date -- has mostly been focused around men or male participants.&quot;</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/2024/6/25/ketamine-pill-treats-depression-without-psychedelic-effects-study-1307">Ketamine pill treats depression without psychedelic effects</a></div><p>Clinical depression, or major depressive disorder, is one of the most common mental disorders in the world.</p><p>More than 300 million people across the globe have depression, according to the World Health Organization.</p><p>The study was published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Communications.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fIidaxR3cn4" title="Salamat Dok: Dealing with depression and anxiety" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>Women are genetically at higher risk of clinical depression than men, Australian researchers found in a study published Wednesday that could change how the disorder is treated.</p>

Women are genetically at higher risk of clinical depression than men, Australian researchers found in a study published Wednesday that could change how the disorder is treated.

Study finds women have higher genetic risk of depression

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Study finds women have higher genetic risk of depression

Agence France-Presse

Published October 08, 2025 08:52 AM PHT

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depression

clinical depression

mental health

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