Emerging role of Gut-microbiota-brain axis in depression and therapeutic implication

The human body can be considered a superorganism in which it's eukaryotic cells and prokaryotic microorganisms coexist. Almost every organ system of the body lives a symbiotic life with these commensal bacteria. Intestinal microbiota has an important role in shaping, organizing and maintaining mental functions from as early as the intrauterine period. Microbiota-based approaches are becoming more prominent in understanding and treating the etiopathogenesis of neuropsychiatric disorders, especially depression. Antidepressant drugs, which are the first-line option in the treatment of depression today, also contain antimicrobial and immunomodulatory mechanisms of action. Treatment options for directly modifying the microbiota composition include prebiotics, probiotics (psychobiotics) and fecal microbiota transplantation. There are few preclinical and clinical studies on the efficacy and reliability of these treatment options in depression. This article will review pertinent studies on the role of intestinal microbiota in depression and discuss the treatment potential of altering ones gut microbiome.