Recognizing Depression from the Microbiota⁻Gut⁻Brain Axis.

Shan Liang, Xiaoli Wu, Xu Hu, Tao Wang, Feng Jin

Journal: International journal of molecular sciences 2018;19(6):1592

PMID: 29843470

Plain Language Summary

Emerging research indicates that major depression is not just a mental disorder but also a systemic disease. In depression, the brain-gut axis, the bidirectional pathway that connects the brain and gut, is thought to be disturbed. This disruption is hypothesised to be a major pathological basis of depression. The aim of this paper is to explore this hypothesis by reviewing the current literature. According to the current literature, the authors found research stating the gut microbiota of depressed patients is significantly different from that of healthy controls. Additionally, disturbances or abnormalities in the gut can influence the susceptibility of onset of depression, while restoration of the gut will alleviate depression. Based on these findings, the authors conclude depression is closely related with the condition of the brain-gut axis, and that restoring the normal condition of gut microbiota may aid in the therapy of depression. The authors expect therapies that target gut microbiota will play an important role in the treatment and prevention of depression in the future.

Abstract

Major depression is one of the leading causes of disability, morbidity, and mortality worldwide. The brain⁻gut axis functions are disturbed, revealed by a dysfunction of the brain, immune system, endocrine system, and gut. Traditional depression treatments all target the brain, with different drugs and/or psychotherapy. Unfortunately, most of the patients have never received any treatment. Studies indicate that gut microbiota could be a direct cause for the disorder. Abnormal microbiota and the microbiota⁻gut⁻brain dysfunction may cause mental disorders, while correcting these disturbance could alleviate depression. Nowadays, the gut microbiota modulation has become a hot topic in treatment research of mental disorders. Depression is closely related with the health condition of the brain⁻gut axis, and maintaining/restoring the normal condition of gut microbiota helps in the prevention/therapy of mental disorders.

Address: Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China. [email protected].; Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China. [email protected].; Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China. [email protected].; Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China. [email protected].; Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China. [email protected].; Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China. [email protected].

DOI: 10.3390/ijms19061592