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The Gut-Brain Axis: The Missing Link in Depression
Open accessAbstract
The gut microbiota is essential to human health and the immune system and plays a major role in the bidirectional communication between the gut and the brain. Based on evidence, the gut microbiota is associated with metabolic disorders such as obesity, diabetes mellitus and neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, autistic disorders, anxiety disorders and major depressive disorders. In the past few years, neuroscientific research has shown the importance of the microbiota in the development of brain systems. Recent studies showed that the microbiota could activate the immune and central nervous systems, including commensal and pathogenic microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract. Gut microorganisms are capable of producing and delivering neuroactive substances such as serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid, which act on the gut-brain axis. Preclinical research in rodents suggested that certain probiotics have antidepressant and anxiolytic activities. Effects may be mediated via the immune system or neuroendocrine systems. Herein, we present the latest literature examining the effects of the gut microbiota on depression.
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“The brain–gut axis is becoming increasingly important as a therapeutic target for gastrointestinal and psychiatric disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (3), depression (4), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (5).”
From Vagus Nerve as Modulator of the Brain–Gut Axis in Psychiatric and Inflammatory Disorders (2018) · cites this paper as [4]
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Metadata
- Authors
- Evrensel, A., & Ceylan, M. E.
- Affiliations
- Üsküdar University (TR)
- Corresponding author
- Evrensel, Alper
- Venue
- Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience
- Published
- 2015-12-31
- Volume
- 13
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 239-244
- ISSN
- 1738-1088 (ISSN-L)
- 2093-4327
- OpenAlex
- W2221413160
- Cited by
- 338
- References
- 75
- Citations by year
- 2026: 13 · 2025: 31 · 2024: 25 · 2023: 64 · 2022: 29 · 2021: 27 · 2020: 43 · 2019: 33 · 2018: 38 · 2017: 21 · 2016: 13
- FWCI
- 10.43
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- diamond
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Gut microbiota and health
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Biological Psychiatry › Tryptophan and brain disorders
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Food Science › Probiotics and Fermented Foods
- Keywords
- gut-brain axis, gut microbiota, depression, probiotics, serotonin, GABA, neuroactive metabolites, immune system, neuroendocrine system, neuropsychiatric disorders, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder
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