Assistance of Gut Microbiota in Depression

Abstract

The association between gut microbiota and mental health is a relatively new research topic that has gained traction in recent years. Depression is a serious mental illness and a leading cause of disability, morbidity, and mortality worldwide. Based on the WHO reports, there are approximately 350 million people affected by depression globally. Currently available treatments can temporarily alleviate the symptoms of depressive illness, but these management plans are unable to completely reverse the multifactorial pathology of depression, and the antidepressant medications may produce side effects and adverse drug reactions which may turn down the quality of life of patients. Research has shown that the gut microflora interacts with the brain through various mechanisms, and this leads to the recognition of the microbiome in managing mental health. By unveiling the complexities involved in this area can help to develop novel strategies to treat the depressed patients and to prevent the public from falling to depressive disorder. Keywords: Gut microbiome, depression, neurotransmitters