A major UK study is probing the kynurenine pathway to explain why teenage girls show higher depression rates than boys. The research contributes to a global understanding of depression that affects hundreds of millions worldwide.
Adolescence remains a pivotal period for mental health. The kynurenine pathway transforms the amino acid tryptophan into compounds that can protect or harm neurons. The study examines how this process differs by sex in adolescence and what it means for risk and resilience. For Thai adolescents, rising awareness, academic pressures, and evolving gender norms make these insights especially pertinent.
Researchers tracked 150 Brazilian teenagers over three years, balanced by sex and grouped by depression risk: low, high, or clinical depression. A key finding was that higher depression risk or existing depression correlated with lower levels of kynurenic acid, a neuroprotective substance, particularly among female participants. This points to a gender-related vulnerability during adolescence and aligns with international work on biological factors in mental health.
The senior author, a professor of neuroscience, notes that refining interventions by targeting the kynurenine pathway could be fruitful. When combined with social and personal factors, these biomarkers may help tailor more effective support for young people.
The study also detected that higher inflammatory markers—often present with stress or illness—were linked to increased production of neurotoxic compounds within the kynurenine pathway in high-risk or depressed teens. This suggests a potential feedback loop where inflammation worsens mental health outcomes, a concern for youths facing persistent depression.
The lead author underscored the value of kynurenine measurements to identify youths at risk, especially females. Early identification could enable more precise, proactive interventions to improve mental health trajectories for young women.
In Thailand, where traditional gender expectations meet modern mental health challenges, biomarkers of depression could shape future treatment approaches. As Thai society becomes more open about mental health, integrating biomedical insights with cultural sensitivity could strengthen support systems for adolescents.
Future work may explore sex-specific treatments for depression, offering paths to more personalized care. For Thai readers, the intersection of biology, culture, and mental health invites community education and policy discussions. Practical steps include regular mental health screenings and incorporating mental health literacy into school programs.
For context, the findings are published in a peer-reviewed Biological Psychiatry journal from a leading neuroscience publisher.
Source attribution: Research conducted by a major academic institution and published in Biological Psychiatry, with data from diverse populations.