Gender Differences in Depression-Related Brain Network Development During Adolescence

Brain regions implicated in depression tend to develop differently in adolescent girls and boys, according to new research published in Science Advances. The findings provide evidence that there may be a connection between the way brain networks develop during adolescence and sex differences in the risk of depression. The study utilized a large fMRI dataset with approximately equal numbers of males and females. The results provide new insights into the neural mechanisms underlying the development of depression and may help to develop sex-specific prevention and treatment strategies for depression.