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Updated: Jun 25, 2025

Author Spotlight: Accelerating Research on Bacterial Extracellular Vesicles Separation and Heterogeneity
Published on: September 1, 2023
The Emerging Role of Human Gut Bacteria Extracellular Vesicles in Mental Disorders and Developing New Pharmaceuticals
Effrosyni Louka1, Vassiliki Lila Koumandou1
1Genetics Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 11855 Athens, Greece.
Abstract:
In recent years, further evidence has emerged regarding the involvement of extracellular vesicles in various human physiopathological conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and mental disorders. The biogenesis and cargo of such vesicles may reveal their impact on human health nd disease and set the underpinnings for the development of novel chemical compounds and pharmaceuticals. In this review, we examine the link between bacteria-derived exosomes in the gastrointestinal tract and mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety disorders. Crucially, we focus on whether changes in the gut environment affect the human mental state or the other way around. Furthermore, the possibility of handling bacteria-derived exosomes as vectors of chemicals to treat such conditions is examined.
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