THE MULTIPLE INTERACTIONAL BIOLOGICAL PROCESSES THAT MIGHT LEAD TO DEPRESSION AND GENDER DIFFERENCES IN ITS APPEARANCE

Several neurotransmitter systems have been implicated in the pathophys iology of depression. Gender differences have been demonstrated in som e functions that involve these systems, mostly norepinephrine, seroton in, dopamine and acetylcholine. Several hormonal systems have been sho wn to be altered in depression and gender differences were demonstrate d in their activity as well; notably in thyroid hormones and the hypot halamic-pituitary-adrenal system. Most gender differences in brain sys tems and their hormonal modulators might be attributed to developmenta l and state influences of gonadal hormones. It is suggested that gende r differences in mechanisms that might underlie formation of depressiv e symptoms might be related mostly to interactional processes and dest abilization of balance among multiple factors or circuitry in the cent ral nervous system. Indeed, gender differences in specific neurotransm itters and hormonal systems can be demonstrated as well.