Inulin ameliorates chronic ketamine-induced anxiety-like behaviors and impairments in spatial learning and memory: involvement of gut microbiota, microbial metabolite short-chain fatty acids, and the BDNF-TrkB-ERK1/2-CREB pathway

. It also increased the expression of SCFAs, alleviated gut barrier damage, and upregulated the BDNF-TrkB-ERK1/2-CREB signaling pathway to reduce neuronal damage and enhance the expression of Syn and PSD-95, which may improve chronic ketamine-induced anxiety-like behaviors, PPI impairments, and spatial learning and memory deficits. Our findings provide additional evidence that inulin may be a promising candidate for treating chronic ketamine-associated anxiety-like behaviors and deficits in spatial learning and memory, as well as behavioral deficits in schizophrenia with dysbiosis.