0
selected
-
1.
Effects of L-Theanine Administration on Stress-Related Symptoms and Cognitive Functions in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Hidese, S, Ogawa, S, Ota, M, Ishida, I, Yasukawa, Z, Ozeki, M, Kunugi, H
Nutrients. 2019;11(10)
-
-
-
Free full text
Plain language summary
L-theanine (γ-glutamylethylamide) is a unique non-protein amino acid found in green tea (Camellia sinensis), a widely consumed beverage associated with human health. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of four weeks L-theanine administration (200 mg/day, four weeks) in a healthy population, i.e., individuals without any major psychiatric disorder. This study is a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover, and double-blind trial. The study enrolled thirty individuals (n = 9 men and n = 21 women). Participants received either an enzymatic synthetic product L-theanine or placebo tablets who had to orally self-administer before sleep each night for four weeks. Results show that four weeks L-theanine administration has positive effects on stress-related symptoms and cognitive function in a healthy population. Furthermore, the reduction in sleep quality problems (disturbances in sleep latency, sleep disturbance and use of sleep medication) was greater in the L-theanine administration compared to the placebo administration, while verbal fluency, especially letter fluency, was improved in the L-theanine administration among individuals who showed relatively low performance at pre-treatment. Authors conclude that L-theanine may be a suitable nutraceutical ingredient for improving mental conditions in a healthy population.
Abstract
This randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover, and double-blind trial aimed to examine the possible effects of four weeks L-theanine administration on stress-related symptoms and cognitive functions in healthy adults. Participants were 30 individuals (nine men and 21 women; age: 48.3 ± 11.9 years) who had no major psychiatric illness. L-theanine (200 mg/day) or placebo tablets were randomly and blindly assigned for four-week administration. For stress-related symptoms, Self-rating Depression Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-trait, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores decreased after L-theanine administration (p = 0.019, 0.006, and 0.013, respectively). The PSQI subscale scores for sleep latency, sleep disturbance, and use of sleep medication reduced after L-theanine administration, compared to the placebo administration (all p < 0.05). For cognitive functions, verbal fluency and executive function scores improved after L-theanine administration (p = 0.001 and 0.031, respectively). Stratified analyses revealed that scores for verbal fluency (p = 0.002), especially letter fluency (p = 0.002), increased after L-theanine administration, compared to the placebo administration, in individuals who were sub-grouped into the lower half by the median split based on the mean pretreatment scores. Our findings suggest that L-theanine has the potential to promote mental health in the general population with stress-related ailments and cognitive impairments.
-
2.
Gut feelings: A randomised, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial of probiotics for depressive symptoms.
Chahwan, B, Kwan, S, Isik, A, van Hemert, S, Burke, C, Roberts, L
Journal of affective disorders. 2019;253:317-326
-
-
-
-
Free full text
Plain language summary
Depression is a debilitating psychiatric disorder that is the leading cause of disability world-wide. Multiple causes of depression have been identified, including genetic, neurological, inflammatory, personality, cognitive, and environmental factors. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of the multispecies probiotic Ecologic® Barrier for reducing symptoms in adults with mild to severe levels of depression. The study was a triple-blinded parallel, placebo-controlled randomised clinical trial. Participants were randomly allocated into two groups; probiotic and placebo. 71 participants with depressive symptoms were recruited and allocated sequentially over 12 months. Results indicate that all participants across both probiotic and placebo groups exhibited a reduction in depressive symptoms over the time-period of the trial. Thus, the routine involved with daily preparation and consumption of the probiotic and scheduled appointments, as well as involvement in these behaviours with the aim of seeking improvement in depressive symptoms had positive impacts on mood, irrespective of whether the probiotic or placebo was consumed. Authors conclude that their findings offer evidence to indicate that probiotic consumption can exert change on cognitive patterns associated with depression.
Expert Review
Conflicts of interest:
None
Take Home Message:
- This study offers evidence to indicate that probiotic consumption can exert change on cognitive patterns associated with depression.
- The study suggests that probiotics, rather than having a direct effect on depressive symptoms, potentially act on immune system activity, inflammation and gut barrier integrity which contribute to the expression of depression.
- Probiotics may be a useful adjunct to potentiate the effects of other therapies, such as CBT.
- This study points to the validity of managing physical health as part of mental health treatment.
Evidence Category:
-
X
A: Meta-analyses, position-stands, randomized-controlled trials (RCTs)
-
B: Systematic reviews including RCTs of limited number
-
C: Non-randomized trials, observational studies, narrative reviews
-
D: Case-reports, evidence-based clinical findings
-
E: Opinion piece, other
Summary Review:
With evidence suggesting that decreased gut barrier function and inflammation are correlated with depression, this study set out to determine the effect of consumption of probiotic supplements on depressive symptoms from a sample of 71 participants with depression. The study was a triple-blinded parallel, placebo-controlled randomised clinical trial conducted over 8 weeks in Australia. Pre and post intervention measures of symptoms and vulnerability markers of depression as well as gut microbiota were compared alongside psychological variables and gut microbiota composition to non-depressed, placebo and probiotic groups. All the clinical trial participants demonstrated an improvement in symptoms – participants in the probiotic group demonstrated a significantly greater reduction in cognitive reactivity compared with the placebo group. Probiotics did not significantly alter the microbiota of depressed individuals, however a significant correlation was found between Ruminococcus gnavus and one of the metrics for depression.
Clinical practice applications:
This study was small and carried out over a short period of time. While significant results were found, which signify potential considerations for clinical practice, the results from this study do not offer evidence that the probiotics used had a direct effect on depressive symptoms – they suggest that probiotics potentially act on cognitive processes contributing to depression which may include immune system activity, inflammation, and gut barrier integrity. Overall, this study offers evidence to indicate that probiotic consumption can exert change on cognitive patterns associated with depression. In clinical practice, probiotics may be a useful adjunct to potentiate the effects of therapies, such as CBT. Finally, the use of probiotics promotes the concept of managing physical health as part of mental health treatment.
Considerations for future research:
These preliminary results are promising and offer a number of future research and clinical avenues to build upon. The results do however, indicate that a longer trial may be needed to fully assess the effects of probiotics on mood and the mechanisms by which probiotics may be influencing this. The study also suggests that further research using a range of concentrations in a dose response study may be warranted to determine the optimal dose; a greater dose over a longer period may produce detectable changes in microbiota as well as further differences in psychological data.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide; with evidence suggesting that decreased gut barrier function and inflammation are correlated with depressive symptoms. We conducted a clinical trial to determine the effect of consumption of probiotic supplements (Winclove's Ecologic® Barrier) on depressive symptoms in a sample of participants with mild to severe depression. METHOD 71 participants were randomly allocated to either probiotic or placebo, which was, consumed daily over eight weeks. Pre- and post-intervention measures of symptoms and vulnerability markers of depression as well as gut microbiota composition were compared. Clinical trial participants were also compared on psychological variables and gut microbiota composition to a non-depressed group (n = 20). RESULTS All clinical trial participants demonstrated improvement in symptoms, suggesting non-specific therapeutic effects associated with weekly monitoring visits. Participants in the probiotic group demonstrated a significantly greater reduction in cognitive reactivity compared with the placebo group, particularly in the mild/moderate subgroup. Probiotics did not significantly alter the microbiota of depressed individuals, however, a significant correlation was found between Ruminococcus gnavus and one depression metric. LIMITATIONS There was a high attrition rate, which may be attributed to weekly monitoring visits. Additionally, modulation of the gut microbiota may need more specific testing to distinguish subtle changes. CONCLUSIONS While microbiota composition was similar between all groups, probiotics did affect a psychological variable associated with susceptibility to depression. Further research is needed to investigate how probiotics can be utilised to modify mental wellbeing, and whether they can act as an adjunct to existing treatments.
-
3.
The Effect of Vitamin B12 and Folic Acid Supplementation on Serum Homocysteine, Anemia Status and Quality of Life of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis.
Nozari, E, Ghavamzadeh, S, Razazian, N
Clinical nutrition research. 2019;8(1):36-45
-
-
-
Free full text
Plain language summary
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a relatively common chronic neurological disorder in which damage to the protective covering of neurons occurs in different areas of the central nervous system. Relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) is the relapsing episodes of MS and periods of stability in between relapses. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of vitamin B12 and folic acid supplementation on serum homocysteine (amino acid), anaemia status and quality of life of RRMS patients The study is a double-blind clinical trial which recruited 50 participants. The participants were randomly assigned to one of the 2 groups of RRMS: the vitamin group or the placebo group. Results indicate that increasing the consumption of folic acid and vitamin B12 improved physical and mental dimensions of quality of life in the vitamin group. However, in the placebo group, improvements were only limited to the psychological dimension of quality of life and no significant change in the physical dimension was observed. Authors conclude that homocysteine levels, anaemia status, and eventually quality of life of patients with MS can be significantly improved by administration of 1mg of vitamin B12 monthly and adding rich-food sources of folic acid on their diet.
Abstract
Plasma homocysteine level and megaloblastic anemia status are two factors that can affect the quality of life of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). We conducted this study to determine the effect of vitamin B12 and folic acid supplementation on serum homocysteine, megaloblastic anemia status and quality of life of patients with MS. A total of 50 patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) included in this study which divided into 2 groups. The vitamin group received 5 mg folic acid tablet daily and 3 doses of vitamin B12 (1,000 mcg) injection and the other group received placebo and normal saline injection (same doses). The quality of life was measured by using Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54 questionnaire (MSQOL-54). Fully automated fluorescence polarization immunoassay was used to measure serum homocysteine, vitamin B12 and folate. Complete blood count blood test was conducted to determine the anemia status. The mean homocysteine level reduced by 2.49 ± 0.39 µmol/L (p = 0.001), hemoglobin increased from 11.24 ± 1.54 to 13.12 ± 1.05 g/dL (p = 0.001), and mean corpuscular volume decreased from 95.50 ± 6.65 to 89.64 ± 4.24 in the vitamin group (p = 0.001). There was a significant improvement in the mental field of life quality in the placebo group (37.46 ± 19.01 to 50.98 ± 21.64; p = 0.001), whereas both physical and mental fields of quality of life were improved significantly in the vitamin group (40.38 ± 15.07 to 59.21 ± 12.32 and 29.58 ± 15.99 to 51.68 ± 18.22, respectively; p = 0.001). Serum homocysteine level decrease and anemia status improvement with vitamin B12 and folic acid supplementation reveal the potential role of these two vitamins in improving the life quality of MS patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials Identifier: IRCT2015100313678N7.
-
4.
Daily Ingestion of Eggplant Powder Improves Blood Pressure and Psychological State in Stressed Individuals: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study.
Nishimura, M, Suzuki, M, Takahashi, R, Yamaguchi, S, Tsubaki, K, Fujita, T, Nishihira, J, Nakamura, K
Nutrients. 2019;11(11)
-
-
-
Free full text
Plain language summary
Prevention and management of hypertension are major public health challenges worldwide. Psychosocial factors are related to blood pressure and may lead to hypertension. The aim of this study was to examine the long-term antihypertensive, anti-stress, and psychological state-improving effects of eggplant in human participants with normal-high blood pressure and grade 1 hypertension. The study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group comparative study. The participants were randomized into one of two intervention groups; placebo group or eggplant group. The participants ingested four eggplant powder capsules, or four placebo capsules every day for 12 weeks. Results indicate that continuous intake of eggplant powder improved blood pressure in participants with normal-high blood pressure and grade 1 hypertension. Additionally, eggplant intake improved positive and negative psychosocial states. Authors conclude that eggplant should be utilised as a safe treatment for blood pressure and mental health.
Abstract
Eggplant (Solanum melongena) is a globally popular vegetable and its significant health effect has not been reported in randomized controlled trials. Recently, we reported that eggplant was rich in choline esters, including acetylcholine (ACh), and had an antihypertensive effect in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Here, we evaluated the effects of a continuous intake of eggplant powder on blood pressure (BP), stress, and psychological state (PS) in 100 stressed participants with normal-high BP or grade 1 hypertension in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group comparative study. The participants were randomly assigned to the eggplant or placebo group. Participants in the eggplant group ingested capsules containing eggplant powder (1.2 g/day; 2.3 mg of ACh/day) for 12 weeks, whereas participants in the placebo group ingested placebo capsules. The primary outcome assessed was hospital BP. Secondary outcomes were stress and PS. Eggplant powder intake significantly decreased the hospital diastolic blood pressure (DBP) at week 8 overall and in the normal-high BP group, and the systolic blood pressure (SBP) and DBP at week 12 overall and in the grade 1 hypertension group, compared to those of the placebo group. It also improved negative PSs at week 8 or 12 in the normal-high BP group. This is the first evidence of the BP- and PS-improving effects of eggplant intake in humans. The functional substance responsible for the effects was estimated to be eggplant-derived choline ester, namely ACh.
-
5.
A Mediterranean Diet with Fresh, Lean Pork Improves Processing Speed and Mood: Cognitive Findings from the MedPork Randomised Controlled Trial.
Wade, AT, Davis, CR, Dyer, KA, Hodgson, JM, Woodman, RJ, Keage, HAD, Murphy, KJ
Nutrients. 2019;11(7)
-
-
-
Free full text
Plain language summary
Dementia is characterised by severe cognitive impairment and reduced quality of life. Observational studies have demonstrated that populations following a traditional Mediterranean diet experience less cognitive decline and a lowered risk of dementia. The aim of this study was to examine a Mediterranean diet modified to include 2–3 fresh servings of pork each week across measures of cognitive function and well-being. The study is a 24-week parallel randomised controlled crossover design to compare a Mediterranean diet with 2-3 weekly servings of fresh, lean pork (MedPork) and a low-fat control diet (LF). It recruited adults aged 45–80 years due to their increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Results indicate that compared with the LF control diet, the MedPork intervention led to higher performance in the cognitive domain of processing speed and higher scores for the SF-36 subscale emotional role functioning. No significant differences were observed for other domains of cognitive function, nor for additional measures of psychological well-being. Authors conclude that the MedPork intervention can improve processing speed and mood in a population at risk of cardiovascular disease and therefore dementia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Mediterranean diet may be capable of improving cognitive function. However, the red meat restrictions of the diet could impact long-term adherence in Western populations. The current study therefore examined the cognitive effects of a Mediterranean diet with additional red meat. METHODS A 24-week parallel crossover design compared a Mediterranean diet with 2-3 weekly servings of fresh, lean pork (MedPork) and a low-fat (LF) control diet. Thirty-five participants aged between 45 and 80 years and at risk of cardiovascular disease followed each intervention for 8 weeks, separated by an 8-week washout period. Cognitive function was assessed using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery. Psychological well-being was measured through the SF-36 Health Survey and mood was measured using the Profile of Mood States (POMS). RESULTS During the MedPork intervention, participants consumed an average of 3 weekly servings of fresh pork. Compared to LF, the MedPork intervention led to higher processing speed performance (p = 0.01) and emotional role functioning (p = 0.03). No other significant differences were observed between diets. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that a Mediterranean diet inclusive of fresh, lean pork can be adhered to by an older non-Mediterranean population while leading to positive cognitive outcomes.
-
6.
Low Zinc, Copper, and Manganese Intake is Associated with Depression and Anxiety Symptoms in the Japanese Working Population: Findings from the Eating Habit and Well-Being Study.
Nakamura, M, Miura, A, Nagahata, T, Shibata, Y, Okada, E, Ojima, T
Nutrients. 2019;11(4)
-
-
-
Free full text
Plain language summary
Diet, as well as other lifestyle factors (sleep, exercise etc) are thought to play a significant role in the occurrence of mental disorders, including depression and anxiety. This study focused on the dietary intake of particular minerals (zinc, copper and manganese) and their effects on depression and anxiety of 2089 Japanese participants, each in full time employment. Reasons for the occurrence of mental disorders are considered multi-factorial, but insufficient mineral intake (particularly zinc) is believed to be a causal factor in the prevalence of depression and anxiety. Results of this cross-sectional study showed that low intake of zinc, copper and manganese was associated with depression and anxiety symptoms. More specifically, the effect of both low zinc and low copper intake indicated a higher susceptibility towards depression with both low and high manganese status, suggesting low zinc and copper intake contributes to depression and anxiety symptoms regardless of manganese status. Researchers acknowledge that more investigation is needed.
Abstract
Epidemiological studies have suggested that there is an association between diet and mental health. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the intake of six minerals and mental disorders in a cross-sectional study. We used data from the Eating Habit and Well-being study in Japanese workers. Kessler's six-item psychological distress scale was used to detect mental disorders, with a cut-off score of 12/13, and a validated food frequency questionnaire was used to estimate dietary mineral intake. A total of 2089 participants with no history of depression were included. The prevalence of mental disorders was 6.9%. The lowest quartiles of zinc, copper, and manganese intakes were associated with mental disorders, whereas the lowest quartiles of calcium, magnesium, and iron intake were not associated with mental disorders. Combination analysis of high (≥median) or low (
-
7.
Exploring Associations between Interindividual Differences in Taste Perception, Oral Microbiota Composition, and Reported Food Intake.
Cattaneo, C, Riso, P, Laureati, M, Gargari, G, Pagliarini, E
Nutrients. 2019;11(5)
-
-
-
Free full text
Plain language summary
There are many known drivers of food choice and habits, however, taste is considered one of the main predictors. Each taste quality is associated with different nutritional or physiological requirements or indicates a potential dietary risk. The main aim of this study was to explore whether variation in gustatory functions among individuals could be related to different dietary patterns and intake. A secondary aim was to examine the relationship between gustatory functions and dietary patterns in relation to oral microbiota composition. The study recruited 59 (27 male and 32 female) healthy, normal-weight volunteers aged between 18 and 30 years of age. Seven concentrations for each taste stimulus were prepared to determine the recognition thresholds. Results indicate that: (i) recognition thresholds for the basic tastes were associated with each other, even though in different ways, (ii) interindividual differences in taste perception may influence habitual food consumption and intake, and (iii) there are gender-related differences in food consumption frequency and intake. Authors conclude that nongenetic factors, such as the oral bacteria lining the tongue, should be adequately considered in order to gain new insights into taste-related eating habits that may influence long-term health outcomes.
Abstract
The role of taste perception, its relationship with oral microbiota composition, and their putative link with eating habits and food intake were the focus of the present study. A sample of 59 reportedly healthy adults (27 male, 32 female; age: 23.3 ± 2.6 years) were recruited for the study and taste thresholds for basic tastes, food intake, and oral microbiota composition were evaluated. Differences in taste perception were associated with different habitual food consumption (i.e., frequency) and actual intake. Subjects who were orally hyposensitive to salty taste reported consuming more bakery and salty baked products, saturated-fat-rich products, and soft drinks than hypersensitive subjects. Subjects hyposensitive to sweet taste reported consuming more frequently sweets and desserts than the hypersensitive group. Moreover, subjects hypersensitive to bitter taste showed higher total energy and carbohydrate intakes compared to those who perceived the solution as less bitter. Some bacterial taxa on tongue dorsum were associated with gustatory functions and with vegetable-rich (e.g., Prevotella) or protein/fat-rich diets (e.g., Clostridia). Future studies will be pivotal to confirm the hypothesis and the potential exploitation of oral microbiome as biomarker of long-term consumption of healthy or unhealthy diets.
-
8.
Effect of Nut Consumption on Erectile and Sexual Function in Healthy Males: A Secondary Outcome Analysis of the FERTINUTS Randomized Controlled Trial.
Salas-Huetos, A, Muralidharan, J, Galiè, S, Salas-Salvadó, J, Bulló, M
Nutrients. 2019;11(6)
-
-
-
Free full text
Plain language summary
National Institutes of Health define erectile dysfunction as a persistent difficulty achieving and maintaining an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual intercourse. The main aim of the study was to explore the effects of nuts supplementation on erectile function determined by the International Index of Erectile Function and the endothelial (inner lining of blood vessels) function. The study is a randomised controlled, two-interventions parallel, clinical trial conducted in healthy males who reported a Western-style diet. The 119 participants were randomly assigned to one of the two interventions. Results indicate that adding 60 g/d of mixed raw nuts to a Western-style diet for 14-wk improved the auto-reported orgasmic function and sexual desire parameters in a group of healthy reproductive-aged participants compared with an age-matched control group. Authors conclude that compliance with a healthy diet supplemented with mixed nuts may help to improve erectile and sexual desire.
Abstract
Lifestyle risk factors for erectile and sexual function include smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, lack of physical activity, psychological stress, and adherence to unhealthy diets. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of mixed nuts supplementation on erectile and sexual function. Eighty-three healthy male aged 18-35 with erectile function assessment were included in this FERTINUTS study sub-analysis; a 14-week randomized, controlled, parallel feeding trial. Participants were allocated to (1) the usual Western-style diet enriched with 60 g/day of a mixture of nuts (nut group; n = 43), or (2) the usual Western-style diet avoiding nuts (control group; n = 40). At baseline and the end of the intervention, participants answered 15 questions contained in the validated International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), and peripheral levels of nitric oxide (NO) and E-selectin were measured, as surrogated markers of erectile endothelial function. Anthropometrical characteristics, and seminogram and blood biochemical parameters did not differ between intervention groups at baseline. Compared to the control group, a significant increase in the orgasmic function (p-value = 0.037) and sexual desire (p-value = 0.040) was observed during the nut intervention. No significant differences in changes between groups were shown in peripheral concentrations of NO and E-selectin. Including nuts in a regular diet significantly improved auto-reported orgasmic function and sexual desire.
-
9.
Effectiveness of plant-based diets in promoting well-being in the management of type 2 diabetes: a systematic review.
Toumpanakis, A, Turnbull, T, Alba-Barba, I
BMJ open diabetes research & care. 2018;6(1):e000534
-
-
-
Free full text
Plain language summary
Diabetes can cause a number of health complications if not well managed and treated and has the potential to have a huge impact on people’s physical and psychological wellbeing. The aims of this review are to systematically analyse the available literature on plant-based diet interventions targeting and/or including adults with diabetes and to clearly define the benefits on well-being of such interventions. This study is a systemic review of 11 controlled trials, of which 7 were randomised. Results demonstrate that a plant-based diet can significantly improve psychological well-being, quality of life, control of type 2 diabetes measured by glycated haemoglobin [is a form of haemoglobin that is measured primarily to know the average plasma glucose concentration over a three-month period] and a number of physical characteristics in people with type 2 diabetes. Authors conclude that future studies could explore ways of delivering proper nutritional education in order to support participants to follow healthier dietary patterns.
Abstract
Diet interventions have suggested an association between plant-based diets and improvements in psychological well-being, quality of life and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) control in populations with diabetes. The aims of this review are to systematically analyze the available literature on plant-based diet interventions targeting diabetes in adults and to clearly define the benefits on well-being of such interventions. This is a systematic review of controlled trials. A computerized systematic literature search was conducted in the following electronic databases: Allied and Complementary Medicine, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, E-Journals, Excerpta Medica Database, MEDLINE, Health Management Information Consortium, PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO, PubMed, SocINDEX and Web of Science. The search strategy retrieved 1240 articles, of which 11 met the inclusion criteria (n=433; mean sample age 54.8 years). Plant-based diets were associated with significant improvement in emotional well-being, physical well-being, depression, quality of life, general health, HbA1c levels, weight, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, compared with several diabetic associations' official guidelines and other comparator diets. Plant-based diets can significantly improve psychological health, quality of life, HbA1c levels and weight and therefore the management of diabetes.
-
10.
Recognizing Depression from the Microbiota⁻Gut⁻Brain Axis.
Liang, S, Wu, X, Hu, X, Wang, T, Jin, F
International journal of molecular sciences. 2018;19(6)
-
-
-
Free full text
Plain language summary
Emerging research indicates that major depression is not just a mental disorder but also a systemic disease. In depression, the brain-gut axis, the bidirectional pathway that connects the brain and gut, is thought to be disturbed. This disruption is hypothesised to be a major pathological basis of depression. The aim of this paper is to explore this hypothesis by reviewing the current literature. According to the current literature, the authors found research stating the gut microbiota of depressed patients is significantly different from that of healthy controls. Additionally, disturbances or abnormalities in the gut can influence the susceptibility of onset of depression, while restoration of the gut will alleviate depression. Based on these findings, the authors conclude depression is closely related with the condition of the brain-gut axis, and that restoring the normal condition of gut microbiota may aid in the therapy of depression. The authors expect therapies that target gut microbiota will play an important role in the treatment and prevention of depression in the future.
Abstract
Major depression is one of the leading causes of disability, morbidity, and mortality worldwide. The brain⁻gut axis functions are disturbed, revealed by a dysfunction of the brain, immune system, endocrine system, and gut. Traditional depression treatments all target the brain, with different drugs and/or psychotherapy. Unfortunately, most of the patients have never received any treatment. Studies indicate that gut microbiota could be a direct cause for the disorder. Abnormal microbiota and the microbiota⁻gut⁻brain dysfunction may cause mental disorders, while correcting these disturbance could alleviate depression. Nowadays, the gut microbiota modulation has become a hot topic in treatment research of mental disorders. Depression is closely related with the health condition of the brain⁻gut axis, and maintaining/restoring the normal condition of gut microbiota helps in the prevention/therapy of mental disorders.