The neural basis underlying female vulnerability to depressive disorders

Abstract

Depressive disorders are more prevalent and severe in women; however, our knowledge of the underlying factors contributing to female vulnerability to depression remains limited. Additionally, females are notably underrepresented in studies seeking to understand the mechanisms of depression. Various animal models of depression have been devised, but only recently have females been included in research. In this comprehensive review, we aim to describe the sex differences in the prevalence, pathophysiology, and responses to drug treatment in patients with depression. Subsequently, we highlight animal models of depression in which both sexes have been studied, in the pursuit of identifying models that accurately reflect female vulnerability to depression. We also introduce explanations for the neural basis of sex differences in depression. Notably, the medial prefrontal cortex and the nucleus accumbens have exhibited sex differences in previous studies. Furthermore, other brain circuits involving the dopaminergic center (ventral tegmental area) and the serotonergic center (dorsal raphe nucleus), along with their respective projections, have shown sex differences in relation to depression. In conclusion, our review covers the critical aspects of sex differences in depression, with a specific focus on female vulnerability in humans and its representation in animal models, including the potential underlying mechanisms. Employing suitable animal models that effectively represent female vulnerability would benefit our understanding of the sex-dependent pathophysiology of depression.

Keywords: Sex difference; animal model; depression; stress; vulnerability.