Australian researchers have published a study revealing that women are genetically at a higher risk of clinical depression than men, a finding that could reshape how the disorder is diagnosed and treated.
The project, led by Australia’s Berghofer Medical Research Institute, is one of the largest genetic studies of its kind. Scientists analyzed the DNA of nearly 200,000 people with depression to identify shared genetic “flags” linked to the condition. The key finding shows that women had almost twice as many of these genetic markers associated with depression compared to men.
While it’s long been known that depression is more common in women, the underlying biological causes have remained unclear. The study offers a new perspective: Researchers pinpointed approximately 13,000 genetic markers linked to depression in women, compared with only 7,000 markers found in men.
Researcher Jodi Thomas noted that “The genetic component to depression is larger in females compared to males.”
She explained that some of these genetic differences could potentially alter biological pathways related to metabolism or hormone production. “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,” Thomas added.
Thomas stated that “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.”
Researcher Brittany Mitchell highlighted the potential impact of these findings on personalized care, noting that much of the existing research and many currently developed medications have historically focused on male participants. “Until now, there hasn’t been much consistent research to explain why depression affects females and males differently, including the possible role of genetics,” she said.
Clinical depression, or major depressive disorder, is one of the most common mental disorders in the world, affecting over 300 million people worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. The full study was published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Communications.
