Effect of genetic variant on depression differs by gender

AORN Journal,  March, 2008  

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Researchers have discovered that a common genetic variation can increase depressive symptoms in women who are under stress but has the opposite effect in men, according to a November 27, 2007, news release from Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina. The genetic variant regulates a person's level of serotonin, which affects the person's emotional state.

Researchers found that women with the short version of the gene who experience high levels of stress become more depressed than women who have the long version of the gene who experience stress or women with the short version of the gene who are not under stress. Conversely, men with the long version of the gene who experience high levels of stress become more depressed than men with the same genetic variant who are not under stress or men with the short variant of the gene who experience high levels of stress. Using these results, researchers speculate that genetic testing may help identify patients who would benefit from preventive measures aimed at reducing depression (eg, positive social support, training in stress-coping skirts).

Gender and stress alter depression rates among people with common genetic variant [news release]. Durham, NC: Duke University Medical Center; November 27, 2007. http://www.dukehealth.org/HealthLibrary/News/10184. Accessed December 16, 2007.

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