Australian researchers have discovered that women are genetically more susceptible to clinical depression compared to men, in a study that could change the way depression is treated.

The scientists examined the DNA of nearly 200,000 people diagnosed with depression to identify shared genetic “markers.” According to the project led by the Berghofer Institute for Medical Research in Australia, researchers found that women carry almost twice the number of these depression-associated genetic markers compared to men.

Researcher Judy Thomas said, “The genetic component of depression is greater in females than males. Decoding the shared and unique genetic codes between males and females gives us a clearer picture of the causes of depression and opens the door to more personalized treatments.”

It has long been known that depression is more common among women, but the biological reasons remain somewhat unclear. Researchers found about 13,000 genetic markers linked to depression in women, compared to 7,000 markers in men.

Some of these genetic variations can alter biological pathways related to metabolism or hormone production. Thomas noted, “We found some genetic differences that may help explain why females with depression suffer more from metabolic symptoms, such as weight changes or fluctuating energy levels.”

Researcher Brittany Mitchell said these findings could lead to changes in how depression is treated in women, explaining: “Until now, there hasn’t been much consistent research explaining why depression affects females and males differently, including the potential role of genes. More stories are emerging about how many currently developed medications—and the research we have so far—mostly focus on men or male participants.”

Clinical depression, or major depressive disorder, is one of the most common mental disorders worldwide, with over 300 million people globally suffering from depression, according to the World Health Organization.