The Role of the Microbiota–Gut–Brain Axis in Depression: Mechanisms and Preventive Strategies

School of Statistics, School of Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, 610000 Chengdu, China

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract

Depression is a common mental disorder and it brings major challenge to global public health because it not only affects millions of people worldwide, but also seriously influences quality of life, emotional well-being, and social functioning. In recent years, more evidence has shown that gut microbiota can play a very key role in how depression develops through the microbiota-gut-brain axis. This review not only examines current results about the relationship between gut microbiota and depression, but also focuses on communication pathways including neural, immune, endocrine, and microbial metabolite mechanisms. Changes in gut microbiota composition can affect neurotransmitter regulation, inflammation, and stress responses, and further contribute to depressive symptoms. In addition, interventions targeting microbiota, such as dietary modification, probiotics, lifestyle changes, and SCFAs, have shown potential for preventing and managing depression. Therefore, gut microbiota may become an important target for future depression research and treatment in clinical practice and medical studies.