Predictive microbial feature analysis in patients with depression after acute ischemic stroke

Area of Science:

• Microbiome research
• Neurology
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Post-stroke depression (PSD) is a common complication after stroke, impacting patient prognosis.
• The gut microbiota's role in neurological conditions is increasingly recognized, but its connection to PSD is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the differences in gut microbiota composition between stroke patients with and without PSD.
• To identify potential microbial biomarkers for predicting PSD.

Main Methods:

• Fecal samples from 232 acute ischemic stroke patients were analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing.
• Patients were assessed for PSD using the 17-Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) three months post-discharge.
• Differences in microbial composition and correlations with depression scores were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Significant differences in gut microbiota were observed between PSD and non-PSD groups.
• Specific genera like *Streptococcus*, *Akkermansia*, and *Barnesiella* were elevated in PSD patients.
• A microbial biomarker model achieved an AUC of 0.705 for distinguishing PSD.

Conclusions:

• Stroke patients with PSD exhibit unique gut microbial signatures.
• Gut microbial markers show potential for clinical decision-making in PSD diagnosis and management.