Integrative mechanisms and intervention targets of the microbiota–gut–brain axis in depressive disorders: advances across immune, endocrine, and central nervous system pathways
Hongyu Zhao, Limei Ao, Lingfang Hao, Yuxia Wei, Hong Zhen Yin, Xiao Qing Lee, Chenyu Guo, Zhenyi Wang, JinRui Yang, Ren Yang, Gai Lan Zhou · 2026
Read Integrative mechanisms and intervention targets of the microbiota–gut–brain axis in depressive disorders: advances across immune, endocrine, and central nervous system pathways by Hongyu Zhao, Limei Ao, Lingfang Hao, Yuxia Wei, Hong Zhen Yin, Xiao Qing Lee, Chenyu Guo, Zhenyi Wang, JinRui Yang, Ren Yang, Gai Lan Zhou (2026) in the Tower of Babel, a free online library of public-domain works preserved in clean, searchable text. No sign-up. The full text is served as a plain-text file at a predictable URL, where text is present: https://antarctic-labs.com/tower-of-babel/pmc-13284109.txt.
Description
Hongyu Zhao and a large team reviewed in 2026 how the microbiota-gut-brain axis may drive depressive disorders. Depression involves far more than low mood, bringing thinking problems, sleep shifts, appetite change, and gut complaints. The review gathers evidence on gut microbe patterns in depression, with stress on the loss of bacteria that make short-chain fatty acids and the rise of pro-inflammatory types.
Signals travel both ways between gut and brain through barrier leaks, low-grade inflammation, the stress hormone axis, the vagus nerve, and chemical messenger routes. Key metabolic paths covered include tryptophan handling, bile acids, and a compound called TMAO. Diet change, tailored probiotics, and stool transfer show some antidepressant promise in selected groups, though effects stay modest and studies vary a lot.
Catalog record
| CREATOR | Hongyu Zhao, Limei Ao, Lingfang Hao, Yuxia Wei, Hong Zhen Yin, Xiao Qing Lee, Chenyu Guo, Zhenyi Wang, JinRui Yang, Ren Yang, Gai Lan Zhou |
|---|---|
| YEAR | 2026 |
| COLLECTION | PAPERS |
| FORMAT | TXT |
| FILE SIZE | 97 KB |
| VERSION | 1.0 |
| LICENSE | CC BY 4.0 |
| RIGHTS | CC BY |
| SOURCE | Europe PMC |