Men antisocial, women more likely depressed, UA researchers say
Researchers at the UA have found that women are twice as likely to suffer from depression, anxiety and personality disorders than men.
The University of Arizona's Psychiatry Department research shows, however, that men are more prone to antisocial disorders.
Women's vulnerability to depression is caused by an altered balance of brain chemicals, said Francisco Moreno, a UA assistant psychiatry professor. Researchers studied the effects of the chemical serotonin, which regulates brain functions such as mood, sleep and sexual behavior.
"The big enchilada is there are gender differences," Moreno said. "Our study supports that serotonin activity may explain greater vulnerability in women than in men."
Moreno said when the levels of serotonin are changed, women have a greater chance of developing mood alterations than men. People with depression have stronger responses to mood fluctuation, he said.
"When serotonin is altered, the individual will experience mood changes," Moreno said, noting that medications like Prozac increase the amount of serotonin in the brain.
The research was derived through mood questionnaire administered after patients' participated in mental health studies. The patients were paid about $200 for taking part in the test, Moreno said.
Of the 100 participants between the ages 18 to 82 - 65 percent women and 35 percent men.
Moreno plans to submit the results of the studies to the Archives of Psychiatry later this month.
Psychology senior Cynthia McGahuey, is a researcher conducting a follow-up study on sexual dysfunction, which women experience more than men according to previous studies.
McGahuey said her team is trying to find biological differences between the two sexes.
"Who is vulnerable?" she asked. "(Is it) women or men, or people who have a history of depression. The genetic factor is what we're looking for."
Researchers are hypothesizing that women and men will respond differently to depletion of a substance that can unbalance serotonin levels, McGahuey said.
"The end result is worth it - to find out how to treat depression," McGahuey said. "Reducing depression will reduce the rate of suicide and improve the quality of life."
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