Gut–brain axis and depression: focus on the amino acid and short-chain fatty acid metabolism

Dysbiosis in gut microbiota is strongly correlated with depression.

• The gut microbiota plays a critical role in communication between the gut and the brain.
• Restoring gut microbiota may be a promising therapeutic strategy for depression.
• Alterations in gut microbial metabolic processes, especially related to amino acids and short-chain fatty acids, could contribute to depression.
• Depression-specific changes in gut microbiota and their metabolic signatures remain poorly understood.
• Further investigation is needed to clarify the molecular mechanisms linking microbial metabolites to depression.

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