Depression Affects the Male and Female Brains in Many Different Ways

A recent study from Cambridge University has found depression affects the brains of men and women in many different ways, thereby promising to find appropriate target treatments. This article explains the key facts and context behind depression.

Key Facts About Depression

Jie-Yu Chuang, a researcher at Cambridge University, said: "Men are more likely to suffer from persistent depression, while women with depression tend to have more depression. Compared to women., depressed men are also more likely to have serious consequences from their depression such as drug abuse and suicide. ".

To reach this conclusion, the researchers contacted depressed teenagers and photographed their brains and found that different areas of the brain were affected in men and women.

This study, published in Frontiers in Psychiatry, was made up of 82 female and 24 male patients aged 11 to 18 with depression. The control group included 24 women and 10 healthy men.

Why Depression Matters

Studies have found that at age 15, girls are twice as likely to suffer from depression.

In addition, body image problems, hormonal fluctuations and genetic factors all affect depression in girls and make them more susceptible to mental disorders.

"Our findings suggest that in adolescence, depression can affect the brain differently between men and women,". Chuang said.

"Specific treatment and prevention strategies for neurasthenia should be considered early in adolescence. Hopefully these early interventions can change the tendency of illness before everything becomes so worse ". .