Sex differences in addictive disorders.
Gender-dependent differences in the rate of initiation and frequency of misuse of addicting drugs have been widely described. Yet, men and women also differ in their propensity to become addicted to other rewarding stimuli (e.g., sex, food) or activities (e.g., gambling, exercising). The goal of the present review is to summarize current evidence for gender differences not only in drug addiction, but also in other forms of addictive behaviours. Thus, we first reviewed studies showing gender-dependent differences in drug addiction, food addiction, compulsive sexual activity, pathological gambling, Internet addiction and physical exercise addiction. Potential risk factors and underlying brain mechanisms are also examined, with particular emphasis given to the role of sex hormones in modulating addictive behaviours. Investigations on factors allowing the pursuit of non-drug rewards to become pathological in men and women are crucial for designing gender-appropriate treatments of both substance and non-substance addictions.
Institute of Neuroscience - Cagliari National Research Council of Italy, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Italy; Centre of Excellence "Neurobiology of Dependence", University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy. Electronic address: lfattore@in.cnr.it.
Liana
L
Fattore
Centre of Excellence "Neurobiology of Dependence", University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy.
Miriam
M
Melis
Centre of Excellence "Neurobiology of Dependence", University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy; National Institute of Neuroscience (INN), University of Cagliari, Italy.
Paola
P
Fadda
Centre of Excellence "Neurobiology of Dependence", University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy; National Institute of Neuroscience (INN), University of Cagliari, Italy.
Walter
W
Fratta
D000818:Animals; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000523:psychology; D005715:Gambling / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D012201:Reward; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology
Compulsive buying; Compulsive sex; Drug addiction; Excessive exercise; Food addiction; Gender differences; Internet addiction; Pathological gambling; Reward; Sex hormones