Sex differences in depression: Insights from clinical and preclinical studies. (May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Eid, Rand S.; Gobinath, Aarthi R.; Galea, Liisa A.M.
• Is Part Of: Progress in neurobiology. Volume 176(2019)
• Page Start: 86
• Page End: 102
• Publication Date: 2019-05
• Subjects: BDNF brain derived neurotrophic factor -- BLA basolateral amygdala -- CORT corticosterone -- CRH corticotropin-releasing hormone -- CRP C-reactive protein -- DSM diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders -- ER estrogen receptor -- fMRI functional magnetic resonance imaging -- FST forced swim test -- GWAS genome-wide association study -- HPA hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal -- LPS lipopolysaccharide -- MDD major depressive disorder -- mPFC medial prefrontal cortex -- NAc nucleus accumbens -- PFC prefrontal cortex -- PPD postpartum depression -- PVN paraventricular nucleus -- SSRI selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor -- TCA tricyclic antidepressant; Sex steroids -- Stress -- Antidepressant efficacy -- Transcriptional patterns -- Neuroplasticity -- Immune signatures -- Postpartum depression -- Women -- Men -- Estrogens -- Cortisol -- Hippocampus; Neurobiology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Neurobiologie -- Périodiques; 612.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2019.01.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-0082

Abstract

Highlights: Women are more likely than men to present with depression. Women are more likely to present with comorbid anxiety and somatic symptoms. Sex hormones may be an effective adjuvant therapy. Sex differences exist in neurobiological, immune, and transcriptional signatures. The postpartum is a time of greatest risk for depression in women's lifetime. Abstract: Depression represents a global mental health concern, and disproportionally affects women as they are twice more likely to be diagnosed than men. In this review, we provide a summary of evidence to support the notion that differences in depression between men and women span multiple facets of the disease, including epidemiology, symptomology, treatment, and pathophysiology. Through a lens of biological sex, we overview depression-related transcriptional patterns, changes in neuroanatomy and neuroplasticity, and immune signatures. We acknowledge the unique physiological and behavioral demands of pregnancy and motherhood by devoting special attention to depression occurring in the peripartum period. Specifically, we discuss issues surrounding the presentation, time course, treatment, and neurobiology of peripartum depression. We write this review with the intention of highlighting the encouraging advancements in our understanding of sex differences in depression, while underscoring the gaps that remain. A more systematic consideration of biological sex as a variable in depression research will be critical in the discovery and development of pharmacotherapies that are efficacious for both men and women.