Finally, recent studies indicate that modulation of glucocorticoid-mediated stress response may constitute a common mechanism by which the circadian clock affects psychiatric disorders.41 Overall, the data suggest that sex differences in glucocorticoid levels may influence expression of hClock and thereby lead to sex-dependent effects on clock-influenced gene expression pathways, thereby altering susceptibility to MDD in a gender-specific manner. The gene discussed is CLOCK; the disease is major depressive disorder.