The Gut Microbiota and Major Depressive Disorder: Current Understanding and Novel Therapeutic Strategies

Abstract

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common neuropsychiatric challenge that primarily targets young females. MDD as a global disorder has a multifactorial etiology related to the environment and genetic background. A balanced gut microbiota is one of the most important environmental factors involved in human physiological health. The interaction of gut microbiota components and metabolic products with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system and immune mediators can reverse depression phenotypes in vulnerable individuals. Therefore, abnormalities in the quantitative and qualitative structure of the gut microbiota may lead to the progression of MDD. In this review, we have presented an overview of the bidirectional relationship between gut microbiota and MDD, and the effect of pre-treatments and microbiomebased approaches, such as probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation, and a new generation of microbial alternatives, on the improvement of unstable clinical conditions caused by MDD.

Role of Glial Cells in Depression and Drug Addiction

“…This effect was attributed to normalization of the GM [64]. Moreover, pre-treatment with pre-or pro-biotics or even fecal microbiota transplantation, have been advocated in MDD therapy [65]. Additionally, it has been proposed that examination of the gut microbiota may predict both MDD and cognitive dysfunction, suggesting that the readout of the microbiome may present a noninvasive prognostic tool for MDD and cognitive functions [66].…”

Role of Glial Cells in Neuronal Function, Mood Disorders, and Drug Addiction

“…This effect was attributed to the normalization of the GM [ 76 ]. Moreover, pre-treatment with pre- or pro-biotics or even fecal microbiota transplantation have been advocated in MDD therapy [ 77 ]. Additionally, it has been proposed that examination of the gut microbiota may predict both MDD and cognitive dysfunction, suggesting that the readout of the microbiome may present a noninvasive prognostic tool for MDD and cognitive functions [ 78 ].…”