Mind over Microbes

The Role of the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis in Depression and Anxiety

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46570/utjms-2026-1681

Keywords:

Microbiota-gut-brain-axis, Dysbiosis, Depression and anxiety

Author Biographies

Fatimah Aftab, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences

Fourth-year Medical Student (MS4)

Sara Razoky, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences

Fourth-year Medical Student (MS4)

Sweta Desai, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences

Fourth-year Medical Student (MS4)

References

Simpson CA, Diaz-Arteche C, Eliby D, Schwartz OS, Simmons JG, Cowan CSM. The gut microbiota in anxiety and depression - A systematic review. Clin Psychol Rev. 2021 Feb. doi: 10.1016/j.cpr.2020.101943. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0272735820301318?via%3Dihub

Shaikh RG, Dey A, Singh VP, Khandagle A, M B, Naik S, Hasan A. Understanding the Impact of the Gut Microbiome on Mental Health: A Systematic Review. Cureus. 2025 Jan. doi: 10.7759/cureus. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11865252/

Wilson DR, Binford L, Hickson S. The Gut Microbiome and Mental Health. Journal of Holistic Nursing. 2023;42(1):79-87. doi:10.1177/08980101231170487. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/08980101231170487

Chudzik A, Orzy?owska A, Rola R, Stanisz GJ. Probiotics, Prebiotics and Postbiotics on Mitigation of Depression Symptoms: Modulation of the Brain-Gut-Microbiome Axis. Biomolecules. 2021 Jul. doi: 10.3390/biom11071000. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8301955/

Clapp M, Aurora N, Herrera L, Bhatia M, Wilen E, Wakefield S. Gut microbiota's effect on mental health: The gut-brain axis. Clin Pract. 2017 Sep. doi: 10.4081/cp.2017.987. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5641835/

Bhatt S, Kanoujia J, Mohana Lakshmi S, Patil CR, Gupta G, Chellappan DK, Dua K. Role of Brain-Gut-Microbiota Axis in Depression: Emerging Therapeutic Avenues. CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets. 2023. doi: 10.2174/1871527321666220329140804. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35352640/

Sonali S, Ray B, Ahmed Tousif H, Rathipriya AG, Sunanda T, Mahalakshmi AM, Rungratanawanich W, Essa MM, Qoronfleh MW, Chidambaram SB, Song BJ. Mechanistic Insights into the Link between Gut Dysbiosis and Major Depression: An Extensive Review. Cells. 2022 Apr. doi: 10.3390/cells11081362. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9030021/

Kumar A, Pramanik J, Goyal N, Chauhan D, Sivamaruthi BS, Prajapati BG, Chaiyasut C. Gut Microbiota in Anxiety and Depression: Unveiling the Relationships and Management Options. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2023 Apr. doi: 10.3390/ph16040565. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10146621/

Dziedzic A, Maciak K, Bli?niewska-Kowalska K, Ga?ecka M, Kobierecka W, Saluk J. The Power of Psychobiotics in Depression: A Modern Approach through the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis: A Literature Review. Nutrients. 2024 Apr. doi: 10.3390/nu16071054. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11013390/

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Published

2026-02-17

How to Cite

1.
Fatimah Aftab, Sara Razoky, Sweta Desai. Mind over Microbes: The Role of the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis in Depression and Anxiety. Translation [Internet]. 2026 Feb. 17 [cited 2026 Feb. 17];15(S1). Available from: https://openjournals.utoledo.edu/index.php/translation/article/view/1681

Issue

Section

Perspectives in Psychiatry: A Learner’s Viewpoint