These comparisons were made among individuals who had been diagnosed with chronic depression as well as those who had not.
In addition to FEDORA, the researchers also analyzed differences among patients who received a therapeutic ketamine prescription for their depression.
They found that female patients who were known to suffer from chronic depression had the highest levels of FEDORA. Interestingly, they also found lower levels of FEDORA among women who had been prescribed ketamine.
The researchers then tested FEDORA levels in living patients via blood samples and discovered that women suffering from depression had higher levels than women not suffering from depression, as well as all men in general.
Finally, the team decided to genetically program test mice to replicate these findings. More specifically, they programmed the mice to express higher than normal levels of lncRNA. Then, they found that when the mice expressed more lncRNA, this led to greater levels of FEDORA and more symptoms of depression and anxiety. But, this was only true among the female mice.
So now, the researchers’ findings suggest that the gap present in depression diagnoses is actually more likely due to gender differences as opposed to changes in hormone levels.
To read the study’s complete findings, which have since been published in Science Advances, visit the link here.
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