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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Netch on February 15, 2008, at 9:17:22
A new study might explain why women are more likely to get depression/anxiety
"Women and men differ in 5-HT associated psychiatric conditions, such as depression, anxiety
and suicide. Despite this, very few studies focus on sex differences in the 5-HT system. Of the
biomarkers in the 5-HT system, 5-HT1A receptor is implicated in depression and anxiety, and
5-HTT (serotonin transporter) is a target for SSRIs, psychotropic drugs used in the treatment of these disorders. The
aim of the present study was to study sex related differences in the 5-HT1A receptor and 5-
HTT binding potential (BP) in healthy humans, in vivo. PET and selective radioligands [11C]WAY100635 and
[11C]MADAM were used to evaluate BPs for 5-HT1A receptors (14 women and 14 men) and
5-HTT (8 women and 10 men). The BPs were estimated both on the level of anatomical
regions and voxel wise, derived by the SRTM and wavelet/Logan plot parametric image
techniques respectively.The VOI-based analysis revealed higher mean 5-HT1A BP values in women compared to men
(Figure 6). A statistically significant mean difference of 1.37 in 5-HT1A BP between women
and men were found (p=0.0063) and there was no sex by region effect (p=0.25). Compared to
men, women had in general, 39% higher 5-HT1A BP. For the 5-HTT, a statistically significant
lower mean 5-HTT BP was measured in women compared to men (p=0.0035) with a difference
of 0.40. There was no significant sex by region interaction (p=0.47). A 55% higher 5-HTT BP
was observed in men compared to women (Figure 6)."http://diss.kib.ki.se/2008/978-91-7357-510-2/
Netch
Posted by Phillipa on February 15, 2008, at 11:27:15
In reply to why women are more likely to get depression, posted by Netch on February 15, 2008, at 9:17:22
Netch hormones??????Love Phillipa
Posted by ShawnThomas on February 22, 2008, at 12:19:33
In reply to why women are more likely to get depression, posted by Netch on February 15, 2008, at 9:17:22
While that connection may be possible, you must be careful to note that correlation does not imply causation. Biological processes involve multiple interacting factors, and singling out specific, causal reasons for complex phenomenon like this is difficult if not impossible. I do think that differences in serotonin systems in men and women could influence the varying rates of depression, but this doesn't really explain why the difference exists. To really get to the bottom of the matter, we need to ask how differences in the depression rates for the two sexes have been influenced by evolutionary pressures. Also, how have evolutionary pressures influenced differences in neurochemistry between the sexes? How do social influences factor in, and how do cultural influences affect rates of depression in men & women? Those are very difficult questions, and I am not sure that we could ever find a satisfactory answer any of them. I do think that we ought to try, because we're likely to learn a lot along the way.
Shawn
Posted by Molybdenum on March 5, 2008, at 1:58:33
In reply to why women are more likely to get depression, posted by Netch on February 15, 2008, at 9:17:22
Oh come on girls, I can't believe one of you hasn't given the obvious answer....????
...that MEN cause it of course.....;)
This is the end of the thread.
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