Background
Mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety, exhibit notable sex differences in prevalence, age of onset, and symptomatology. Women are more likely to be diagnosed with depression and anxiety, whereas men have higher rates of certain externalizing disorders. While social and environmental factors contribute to these differences, genetic and biological mechanisms also play a crucial role. Advances in psychiatric genetics have enabled researchers to explore sex-specific genetic influences on mental health, yet many studies continue to overlook these differences.
Aim
This project aims to investigate whether genetic risk factors for depression and anxiety differ between males and females. Specifically, it will:
- Identify sex-specific genetic variants associated with these disorders.
- Assess whether sex-specific polygenic risk scores (PRS) have differing associations between sexes.
- Examine potential gene-by-sex interactions that contribute to mental health outcomes.
Approach
The project will use large-scale genome-wide association study (GWAS) data from studies such as the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (PGC) and the Australian Genetics of Depression Study (AGDS). This project provides an opportunity to develop skills in genetic data analysis, statistical programming, and genetic epidemiology. The findings may improve our understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying sex differences in mental health disorders and contribute to more personalized treatment approaches.
Project Potential
This project has the potential to provide valuable insights into the genetic basis of sex differences in mental health traits, such as depression and anxiety, by identifying sex-specific genetic risk factors and exploring how they influence the onset, severity, and treatment response of these disorders. The findings could pave the way for more tailored, sex-specific interventions and improve our understanding of the biological mechanisms driving mental health disparities between men and women.