Women at higher genetic risk of depression, Australian study shows

Findings may change how condition is treated in women

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Women are genetically at higher risk of clinical depression than men, Australian researchers have found in a study published on Oct 8 that could alter how the disorder is treated.

Billed as one of the largest-ever studies of its kind, scientists pored through the DNA of almost 200,000 people with depression to pinpoint shared genetic “flags”.

Women had almost twice as many of these genetic markers linked to depression as men, according to the project led by Australia’s Berghofer Medical Research Institute.

“The genetic component to depression is larger in females compared with males,” researcher Jodi Thomas said.