Sex Differences in Depression and Anxiety

Pavlidi, Pavlina; Kokras, Nikolaos; Dalla, Christina

doi:10.1007/7854_2022_375

Cited by 23 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 216 publications

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“…The behavioral and neurobiological sex‐related differences observed in animal models of depression raise the question of whether the outcome of many studies that employed only males could be replicated in females (Kokras & Dalla, 2014). More importantly, the inclusion of both sexes in preclinical and clinical studies will promote a better understanding of sex‐dependent differences in psychiatric disorders and lead to more efficacious sex‐orientated treatments (Pavlidi et al, 2023).…”

Section: Conclusion—implications For Future Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Τhe neuroprotective role of environmental enrichment against behavioral, morphological, neuroendocrine and molecular changes following chronic unpredictable mild stress: A systematic review

Dandi

Spandou

Dalla

et al. 2023

Eur J of Neuroscience

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Environmental factors interact with biological and genetic factors influencing the development and well‐being of an organism. The interest in better understanding the role of environment on behavior and physiology led to the development of animal models of environmental manipulations. Environmental enrichment (EE), an environmental condition that allows cognitive and sensory stimulation as well as social interaction, improves cognitive function, reduces anxiety and depressive‐like behavior and promotes neuroplasticity. In addition, it exerts protection against neurodegenerative disorders, cognitive aging and deficits aggravated by stressful experiences. Given the beneficial effects of EE on the brain and behavior, preclinical studies have focused on its protective role as an alternative, non‐invasive manipulation, to help an organism to cope better with stress. A valid, reliable and effective animal model of chronic stress that enhances anxiety and depression‐like behavior is the chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). The variety of stressors and the unpredictability in the time and sequence of exposure to prevent habituation, render CUMS an ethologically relevant model. CUMS has been associated with dysregulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, elevation in the basal levels of stress hormones, reduction in brain volume, dendritic atrophy and alterations in markers of synaptic plasticity. Although numerous studies have underlined the compensatory role of EE against the negative effects of various chronic stress regimens (e.g. restraint and social isolation), research concerning the interaction between EE and CUMS is sparse. The purpose of the current systematic review is to present up‐to‐date research findings regarding the protective role of EE against the negative effects of CUMS.

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Section: Conclusion—implications For Future Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Τhe neuroprotective role of environmental enrichment against behavioral, morphological, neuroendocrine and molecular changes following chronic unpredictable mild stress: A systematic review

Dandi

Spandou

Dalla

et al. 2023

Eur J of Neuroscience

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…individuals with depression (Subramaniam et al, 2019). For testosterone, research on pharmacological interventions aimed at individuals with depression is sparse and the results from the available studies are mixed (Pavlidi et al, 2021). For oxytocin, two studies have been conducted both suggesting no effects of antidepressants on oxytocin in depressed individuals (Keating et al, 2013;Ozsoy et al, 2009).…”

Section: Endocrine Functioningmentioning

confidence: 99%

A review of bodily dysfunction in depression: Empirical findings, theoretical perspectives, and implications for treatment.

Mikkelsen¹,

O’Toole²

2023

Journal of Psychotherapy Integration

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Emotional disturbances are well-recognized features of depression and contemporary psychotherapeutic programs offer a variety of treatment strategies directly targeting these disturbances (e.g., cognitive restructuring, decentering, acceptance). In addition to emotional disturbances, evidence increasingly points to depression also being characterized by profound bodily dysfunction. The goal of the present article is to evaluate the potential of bodily dysfunction as a treatment target in interventions aimed at alleviating emotional problems in depression. We begin by delineating two of the major yet diverging theoretical predictions about the role of the body in and for emotions. We then review evidence of bodily dysfunction in depression with a focus on inflammation, endocrine functioning, the motoric system (i.e., posture and movement), physiological reactivity, and interoception. In our review, we (a) present cross-sectional research investigating differences between healthy and clinical groups, (b) describe experimental evidence, looking at acute and long-term effects of manipulation of bodily parameters on symptoms of depression, and (c) explore longitudinal evidence on how bodily dysfunction may or may not normalize upon successful pharmacological or psychological treatment of depression. We conclude by discussing how bodily dysfunction may be shaping and constraining the emotional lives of depressed individuals and outlining how treatment aimed at alleviating emotional problems in depression may benefit from targeting bodily dysfunction. Public Health Significance StatementThe present study reviews empirical evidence of bodily dysfunction in depression. The findings suggest a variety of bodily alterations in depression that may contribute to emotional disturbances. Treatment targeting the body may be valuable in alleviating emotional problems in depression.

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“…The behavioral and neurobiological sex-related differences observed in models of anxiety and depression, raise the question whether the outcome of many studies which employed only males, could be replicated in females (Kokras & Dalla, 2014). More importantly, the inclusion of both sexes in preclinical and clinical studies will promote a better understanding of sex-dependent differences in psychiatric disorders and lead to more efficacious sex-orientated treatments (Pavlidi et al, 2022).…”

Section: Conclusion -Implications For Future Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Τhe neuroprotective role of environmental enrichment against behavioral, morphological, neuroendocrine and molecular changes following chronic unpredictable mild stress: A systematic review

Dandi

Spandou

Dalla

et al. 2022

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Environmental factors interact with biological and genetic factors influencing the development and well-being of an organism. The interest to better understand the role of environment on behavior and physiology led to the development of animal models of environmental manipulations. Environmental Enrichment (EE), an environmental condition that allows cognitive and sensory stimulation as well as social interaction, improves cognitive function, reduces anxiety and depressive-like behavior, and promotes neuroplasticity. In addition, it exerts protection against neurodegenerative disorders, cognitive aging and deficits aggravated by stressful experiences. Given the beneficial effects of EE on brain and behavior, preclinical studies focus on its protective role as an alternative, non-invasive manipulation, to help an organism to cope better with stress. A valid, reliable and effective animal model of chronic stress that enhances anxiety and depression-like behavior is the Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress (CUMS). The variety of stressors and the unpredictability in the time and sequence of exposure to prevent habituation, render CUMS an ethologically relevant model. CUMS has been associated with dysregulation of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal axis, elevation in the basal levels of stress hormones, reduction in brain volume, dendritic atrophy and alterations in markers of synaptic plasticity. Although numerous studies have underlined the compensatory role of EE against the negative effects of various chronic stress regimens (e.g., restraint, social isolation), research concerning the interaction between EE and CUMS is sparse. The purpose of the current systematic review is to present up-to-date research findings regarding the protective role of EE against the negative effects of CUMS.

show abstract

Sex Differences in Depression and Anxiety

Cited by 23 publications

References 216 publications

Τhe neuroprotective role of environmental enrichment against behavioral, morphological, neuroendocrine and molecular changes following chronic unpredictable mild stress: A systematic review

Τhe neuroprotective role of environmental enrichment against behavioral, morphological, neuroendocrine and molecular changes following chronic unpredictable mild stress: A systematic review

A review of bodily dysfunction in depression: Empirical findings, theoretical perspectives, and implications for treatment.

Τhe neuroprotective role of environmental enrichment against behavioral, morphological, neuroendocrine and molecular changes following chronic unpredictable mild stress: A systematic review

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