Sex-specific gene expression and weighted co-expression network analysis suggest distinct sex-specific molecular signatures in acutely suicidal MDD-patients without somatic comorbidities.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a debilitating psychiatric disorder and is strongly associated with suicidal ideation and acute suicidality. While sex differences are evident across nearly all stages of depression, sex-specific mechanisms in acute suicidality remain not fully understood. This gap is notable given that women are twice as likely as men to develop depression, show earlier onset and greater symptom severity, and account for two-thirds of suicide attempts, whereas men have higher suicide completion rates. At the molecular level, sex differences also influence pharmacological treatment response, yet the biological mechanisms underlying these disparities remain not fully understood.

Methods

In an exploratory approach, we investigated genome-wide gen

SUBMITTER: Fritz M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12531222 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature