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Acta Neurológica Colombiana

Print version ISSN 0120-8748On-line version ISSN 2422-4022

Abstract

SABINE KRANSEL, Marah Sophie; JARAMILLO ZAFRA, Juan Jose; OSORIO DIAGO, Isabella  and  BECERRA HERNANDEZ, Lina Vanessa. Depression, anxiety, and intestinal microbiota: Neurobiological mechanisms. Acta Neurol Colomb. [online]. 2024, vol.40, n.3, e1341.  Epub July 18, 2024. ISSN 0120-8748.  https://doi.org/10.22379/anc.v40i3.1341.

Introduction:

Gut dysbiosis has been recognized as a relevant factor in the etiology of neuropsychiatry disorders such as depression and anxiety. Although the relationship between altered gut microbiota and these disorders is well documented, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain incompletely understood. This study reviews recent literature to analyze the biological pathways that may explain this connection.

Materials and methods:

A narrative review of the available literature was conducted using biomedical databases, selecting studies that address the relationship between gut dysbiosis and affective disorders. The involved mechanisms were classified into three categories: the vagal pathway, intestinal permeability, and the effects of bacterial metabolites. Both animal and human studies were included.

Results:

The review identified that gut dysbiosis affects the central nervous system through three main mechanisms: the vagal pathway acts as a bridge between the gut microbiota and the brain, increased intestinal permeability allows the translocation of bacterial products, and bacterial metabolites such as lipopolysaccharides induce neuroinflammation and neurotransmission alterations.

Discussion:

The findings suggest that gut dysbiosis plays a critical role in modulating systemic and cerebral inflammation, contributing to the emergence of depressive and anxiety symptoms. Disruption of the intestinal barrier and the effects of bacterial metabolites are key elements in this relationship.

Conclusions:

Gut dysbiosis and alterations in the gut-brain axis are key determinants in the manifestation of affective disorders, highlighting the potential of the microbiota as a therapeutic target in managing depression and anxiety.

Keywords : Anxiety; Depression; Dysbiosis; Gut-Brain Axis; Intestinal microbiome; Intestinal permeability; Molecular mechanisms; Neurobiology.

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