A new study has brought scientists a step closer to understanding why more women than men suffer from depression and anxiety.
Depression affects around one quarter of women at some stage during their lifetime, while only one in ten men are likely to experience symptoms.
Now, researchers from Karolinska Institute have found differences between the serotonin system in men and women, which is responsible for emotions such as anger, fear and general mood.
According to the study, which is due to be presented in a doctoral thesis, women have more serotonin receptors in their brain, and lower levels of a particular protein involved in transporting the neurotransmitter.
"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," said lead researcher Anna-Lena Nordstrom.
A new study has brought scientists a step closer to understanding why more women than men suffer from depression and anxiety.
