Gut microbiome signatures associated with depression and obesity

This study identifies gut microbiome signatures that are predictive of major depressive disorder (MDD) and explores their links to body mass index (BMI). We uncover bacterial species and metabolic pathways that are associated with MDD, some of them related to neurotransmitter metabolism and inflammation. Among the differences identified, depletion of <i>Faecalibacterium prausnitzii</i> stands out as an important feature in the MDD microbiome, which suggests the possible use of this species to improve depression symptoms. Importantly, we demonstrate shared microbiome features between MDD and BMI, suggesting common underlying mechanisms. This research not only provides a framework for developing microbiome-based diagnostics but also informs future stratified interventions targeting gut microbial functions to improve mental health outcomes.

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Publication Details

Journal
mSystems
Published
2026-01-30
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1128/msystems.01263-25
Primary Topic
Gut microbiota and health
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

Gut microbiome signatures associated with depression and obesity

Eva M. Medina‐Rodríguez, Francisca Lahortiga‐Ramos, Ana Larroya-García, Pilar López-García et al.
mSystems
Gut microbiota and health
article

Gut microbiome signatures associated with depression and obesity

Eva M. Medina‐Rodríguez, Francisca Lahortiga‐Ramos, Ana Larroya-García, Pilar López-García, Margalida Gili, G V Molina-Mendoza, María Carmen Cénit, Sanz Yolanda, Leticia González-Blanco, Olga Ibarra, Bernardino Barceló, Carlos Mora-Martínez, J. Bobes, Mauro García-Toro, Yolanda Sánchez-Carro, Mercedes Zandio-Zorrilla
article en

Abstract

This study identifies gut microbiome signatures that are predictive of major depressive disorder (MDD) and explores their links to body mass index (BMI). We uncover bacterial species and metabolic pathways that are associated with MDD, some of them related to neurotransmitter metabolism and inflammation. Among the differences identified, depletion of <i>Faecalibacterium prausnitzii</i> stands out as an important feature in the MDD microbiome, which suggests the possible use of this species to improve depression symptoms. Importantly, we demonstrate shared microbiome features between MDD and BMI, suggesting common underlying mechanisms. This research not only provides a framework for developing microbiome-based diagnostics but also informs future stratified interventions targeting gut microbial functions to improve mental health outcomes.

mSystemsVol. 11(3)
Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ES), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (ES), Universidad Europea (MX), Navarre Institute of Health Research (ES), Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (ES), Hospital Universitario Doctor Peset (ES), National Research Council (LK), Clinica Universidad de Navarra (ES), Research Institute of Health Sciences (ES), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (ES), Universidad Europea de Canarias (ES), Hospital Universitario Son Espases (ES), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (ES), Universitat de les Illes Balears (ES), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (ES), Universidad de Navarra (ES)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 73%
Gut microbiota and health
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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