Abstract

The prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD) is twice as common in women as in men. A lot of biological evidences are identified to clarify the gender specific background of MDD. This review examines some potentials factors contributing to the sex difference for incidence rate of MDD in terms of physiological and anatomical response. Although further researches have to be carried out and many problems to be resolved, these approaches suggest that gender specific differences have to be considered in drug development for MDD. (Korean J Str Res 2013;21:167∼174)

• Keywords: Major depressive disorder, Gender, Stress;