A groundbreaking Australian study has found that women face a significantly higher genetic risk of developing clinical depression than men — a discovery that could transform how the condition is diagnosed and treated.

 

The research, conducted by Australia’s Berghofer Medical Research Institute, analyzed the DNA of nearly 200,000 people living with depression, making it one of the largest genetic studies of its kind. Scientists identified genetic “flags” linked to depression and found that women carried nearly twice as many of these markers as men.

 

While it has long been observed that depression affects more women than men, the biological reasons behind this gap have been unclear. The new findings shed light on the issue — revealing around 13,000 genetic markers associated with depression in women, compared to about 7,000 in men.

 

Lead researcher Jodi Thomas explained that the “genetic component to depression is larger in females compared to males.” She added that some of these genetic differences may influence metabolic and hormonal processes, possibly explaining why women with depression often experience symptoms such as changes in weight or energy levels.

 

“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,” Thomas said.

 

Co-researcher Brittany Mitchell emphasized that these insights could lead to more tailored approaches to mental health care. “Historically, much of the research and medication development has focused on male participants,” she noted. “Until now, there hasn’t been consistent evidence explaining why depression impacts females and males differently — including the role genetics may play.”

 

Clinical depression, also known as major depressive disorder, affects over 300 million people globally, according to the World Health Organization. The full study was published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Communications.

 

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**Women Have Higher Genetic Risk of Depression, Study Reveals**

 

A groundbreaking Australian study has found that women face a significantly higher genetic risk of developing clinical depression than men — a discovery that could transform how the condition is diagnosed and treated.

 

The research, conducted by Australia’s Berghofer Medical Research Institute, analyzed the DNA of nearly 200,000 people living with depression, making it one of the largest genetic studies of its kind. Scientists identified genetic “flags” linked to depression and found that women carried nearly twice as many of these markers as men.

 

While it has long been observed that depression affects more women than men, the biological reasons behind this gap have been unclear. The new findings shed light on the issue — revealing around 13,000 genetic markers associated with depression in women, compared to about 7,000 in men.

 

Lead researcher Jodi Thomas explained that the “genetic component to depression is larger in females compared to males.” She added that some of these genetic differences may influence metabolic and hormonal processes, possibly explaining why women with depression often experience symptoms such as changes in weight or energy levels.

 

“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,” Thomas said.

 

Co-researcher Brittany Mitchell emphasized that these insights could lead to more tailored approaches to mental health care. “Historically, much of the research and medication development has focused on male participants,” she noted. “Until now, there hasn’t been consistent evidence explaining why depression impacts females and males differently — including the role genetics may play.”

 

Clinical depression, also known as major depressive disorder, affects over 300 million people globally, according to the World Health Organization. The full study was published in the peer-reviewed journal *Nature Communications*.