The gut microbiota in post-stroke depression: A systematic review of microbial mechanisms and therapeutic targeting of neuroinflammation

After a stroke, many people experience depression, which makes recovery harder. Recent studies show that inflammation in the brain and changes in gut bacteria might play roles in this post-stroke depression (PSD). This review looks at how an imbalance in gut bacteria can lead to brain inflammation by affecting immune cells and producing certain substances. We also compare the gut bacteria in people with PSD to those with major depression and Alzheimer's disease. We found that stroke changes gut bacteria in a specific way, leading to a loss of helpful bacteria and an increase in harmful ones. The review discusses how treatments that target gut bacteria, like probiotics, could help with PSD. Overall, we suggest that studying gut bacteria could help us find new ways to diagnose and treat depression after a stroke.

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