ReviewInternational journal of molecular sciences2022
How Microbes Affect Depression: Underlying Mechanisms via the Gut-Brain Axis and the Modulating Role of Probiotics.
Review in International journal of molecular sciences, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 76 papers, 6 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
76 citing papers in PubMed, 6 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 114 citations in OpenAlex.
- Exploring the genetic correlation between inflammatory bowel disease and psychiatric disorders: insights from genome-wide association studies.European archives of psychiatry and clinical neuroscience · 2026Pooled it
- Epigenetic mechanisms affected by stress during adolescence and the increased risk for depression later in life: a systematic review.Molecular psychiatry · 2026Pooled it
- Neurotrophin System Alterations Associated with Neurotoxicity Accompanied by Carotid Artery Diseases-A Systematic Review.International journal of molecular sciences · 2026Pooled it
- Exploring the molecular mechanisms by which exercise improves cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease based on the brain-gut microbiota axis: bibliometrics and visualization analysis.Frontiers in microbiology · 2026Pooled it
- Impact of probiotics on sleep quality and mood states in patients with insomnia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Frontiers in microbiology · 2025Pooled it
- Probiotics for the treatment of depression and its comorbidities: A systemic review.Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology · 2023Pooled it
- Efficacy ofWorld journal of psychiatry · 2025Trial
- Characterization and correlation of gut microbiota in major depressive disorder patients with suicidal ideation.BMC psychiatry · 2026Article
- Gut Microbiota and Ischemic Stroke: From Pre-Stroke Dysbiosis and Acute-Phase Changes to Therapeutic Applications.Brain and behavior · 2026Review
- The Gut-Brain Axis in Sleep Deprivation: Mechanisms, Dysbiosis, and Potential Therapeutic Avenues.Iranian journal of medical sciences · 2026Review
- Gut microbiota-driven metabolites modulate the development of stress-related mental disorders.Translational psychiatry · 2026Review
- Seasonal Affective Disorder and the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis: Circadian Disruption, Tryptophan Metabolism, and Psychobiotic Potential ofNutrients · 2026Review
- Unraveling the gut microbiota-brain axis: Mechanisms, pathophysiology, and therapeutic opportunities.iScience · 2026Review
- Alterations of microRNAs across human and mouse limbic brain areas: molecular mechanisms and biological processes involved in major depressive disorder.Neurobiology of stress · 2026Article
- A Coumarin- and Phthalide-Rich Fraction From Baichuan Baile Formula Alleviates Reserpine-Induced Depression-Like Behaviors by Modulating the Monoaminergic System and Gut Microbiota.Chemistry & biodiversity · 2026Article
- Observational
- Distinct Gut Microbiome Characteristics Associated with Mental Health Symptoms of Healthy Adults.Brain sciences · 2026Article
- The microbiota-gut-brain axis in postpartum depression: a review of microbial mechanisms and therapeutic potential.Frontiers in psychiatry · 2026Review
- Clinical relevance of loneliness in the treatment of depression: study protocol for a naturalistic prospective longitudinal study.Frontiers in psychiatry · 2026Article
- Research progress and controversies in the treatment of functional constipation-related depression with probiotics and prebiotics: a narrative review.Frontiers in pharmacology · 2026Review
16 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
2 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests that the gut microbiome influences the brain functions and psychological state of its host via the gut-brain axis, and gut dysbiosis has been linked to several mental illnesses, including major depressive disorder (MDD). Animal experiments have shown that a depletion of the gut microbiota leads to behavioral changes, and is associated with pathological changes, including abnormal stress response and impaired adult neurogenesis. Short-chain fatty acids such as butyrate are known to contribute to the up-regulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and gut dysbiosis causes decreased levels of BDNF, which could affect neuronal development and synaptic plasticity. Increased gut permeability causes an influx of gut microbial components such as lipopolysaccharides, and the resultant systemic inflammation may lead to neuroinflammation in the central nervous system. In light of the fact that gut microbial factors contribute to the initiation and exacerbation of depressive symptoms, this review summarizes the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in MDD onset, and discusses the therapeutic potential of probiotics, including butyrate-producing bacteria, which can mediate the microbiota-gut-brain axis.
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What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.