Gut Feeling: Researchers Are Discovering a Link Between Depression and Gut Bacteria

The human gut is home to an abundant and diverse community of microbes-each of us carries roughly 100 trillion, representing more than 1,000 different species. The composition of one's gut microbiota is individually specific, dynamic, and influenced by genetics, diet, age, metabolism, medication use, stress, and geography. These bacteria perform a range of necessary and beneficial functions, including breaking down our food and supporting our immune systems. Preclinical research suggests that the gut microbiome could be a target for preventing or treating depression, but more work, especially in humans, is needed. Scientists are continuing to assess the efficacy of probiotics, diet, and fecal microbiota transplantation in animal models as well as working to confirm what they find in human patients.