How Men And Women Cope Differently With Stress Traced To Genetic Differences

A research conducted by Hebrew University of Jerusalem is looking into how men and women reaction when stress come into their life. Genetic code plays a prominent role in different responses to stress. Cortisol is the stress hormone that responsible to manage stress. Small increase of cortisol has some positive effects such as quick burst of energy, improve memory functions, increase immunity, and maintain homeostasis in body. However high level of cortisol for long period tends to kill brain cells, decrease the memory function and reduces leaning abilities.
In the test, mouthwash sample were taken to test brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene which involve in supporting the growth and differentiation of brain cells. BDNF gene characterizes by a variant that code for either valine (Val) or methionine (Met) amino acids. Subjects carrying Val/Val were compared in their cortisol response to those carrying Val/Met. Val/Met men and women carriers had nearly equal cortisol levels. Val/Val men can produce higher cortisol than Val/Met men. For women, surprisingly, Val/Val women can produce lower cortisol than Val/Met women. In the other word, Val/Val women own better ability to regulate stress than others. But the reason why Val/Val women produce lower cortisol level than Val/Val men is still an enigma.


Reference:
http://www.psychologicalharassment.com/stress_and_stress_management.htm
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090405185031.htm
http://stress.about.com/od/stresshealth/a/cortisol.htm


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