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Neuroscientists have been surprised to discover that the human brain is teeming with microbes, and we are beginning to suspect they could play a role in neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s… by David Robson.

Depression is the most common mental disorder and a leading cause of disability worldwide. Despite abundant research, the precise mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of depression remain elusive. Accumulating evidence from preclinical and clinical studies suggests that alterations in the gut microbiota, microbe-derived short-chain fatty acids, D-amino acids and metabolites play a key role in the pathophysiology of depression via the brain–gut–microbiota axis, including the neural and immune systems. Notably, the brain–gut–microbiota axis might play a crucial role in susceptibility versus resilience in rodents exposed to stress. Vagotomy is reported to block depression-like phenotypes in rodents after fecal microbiota transplantation of “depression-related” microbiome, suggesting that the vagus nerve influences depression through the brain–gut–microbiota axis. In this article, we review recent findings regarding the brain–gut–microbiota axis in depression and discuss its potential as a therapeutic target for depression.

Researchers found differences in the gut microbes of autistic people, raising hopes for faster diagnosis. By Ian Sample, Science Editor, The Guardian. 9 July 2024. Scientists have raised hopes for a cheap and simple test for autism after discovering consistent differences between the microbes found in the guts of autistic people and those without the condition. The finding suggests that a routine stool sample test could help doctors identify autism early, meaning people would receive their diagnosis, and hopefully support, much faster than with the lengthy procedure used in clinics today. “Usually it takes three to four years to make a confirmed diagnosis for suspected autism, with most children diagnosed at six years old,” Prof Qi Su at the Chinese University of Hong Kong said. “Our microbiome biomarker panel has a high performance in children under the age of four, which may help facilitate an early diagnosis.” Rates of autism have soared in recent decades, largely because of greater awareness

An interesting article on clinical outcomes Role of the gut microbiota in nutrition and health. Ana M Valdes and colleagues discuss strategies for modulating the gut microbiota through diet and probiotics. Download