Sex Differences in Anxiety and Depression: What Can (and Cannot) Preclinical Studies Tell Us?

In recent years, the gender perspective in scientific research and sex differences biological studies on emotional disorders have become increasingly important. However, bias basic anxiety depression is still far from being covered. This review addresses study of field using animal models that consider this issue so far. What can preclinical tell us what are their main limitations? First, we describe behavioral tests most frequently used to assess depressive-like anxiety-like behaviors rodents. Then, analyze findings, strengths, weaknesses rodent depression, dividing them into three categories: chromosome complement-biased differences; gonadal hormone-biased environmental-biased differences. Regardless model used, none reproduce all characteristics such complex multifactorial pathologies as depressive disorders; however, each contributes elucidating bases underlie these disorders. The importance highlighted considering responses emerge model.