Study finds brain chemical gender differences

This news item was added on 15th February 2008

Scientists have found that the brain's serotonin system, which is involved in the development of depression and anxiety, differs between men and women.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter which binds to receptors in the brain, controlling feelings of anger, aggression, appetite, sexuality and general mood.

Researchers at Sweden's Karolinska Institute found that the number of binding sites for serotonin in certain parts of the brain differs between men and women, a discovery that could help to explain why depression and chronic anxiety are more common in females.

Depression affects around one in four women during their lifetime, compared to just one in ten men.

The study found that women have a greater number of common serotonin receptors, and lower levels of the protein that transports serotonin back to the nerve cells that secrete it.

Lead researcher and associate professor Anna-Lena Nordstrom commented: "We don't know exactly what this means, but the results can help us understand why the occurrence of depression differs between the sexes and why men and women sometimes respond differently to treatment with antidepressant drugs."

The expert added that the findings suggest that scientists should evaluate the effects of new antidepressants separately on men and women.