The intricate relationship between the gut microbiome and major depressive disorder (MDD) is gaining significant attention within the scientific community. Emerging research highlights sex-specific disparities in the gut microbiome’s composition and its potential impact on MDD, pointing towards the necessity of integrating sex as a biological variable in future studies. Highlights: Sex Disparities in MDD: …
Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) aims to modify the gut microbiome and holds promise as a new treatment approach for major depressive disorder (MDD). Early case studies report improvements in depressive symptoms following fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), but larger controlled trials are needed to substantiate its efficacy. Key Facts: Two patients with long-standing major depression received …
Probiotics are classified as microorganisms that enhance health of the host when ingested. The concept of probiotics was first introduced by Élie Metchnikoff (a Nobel laureate) who suggested that Bulgarian peasants exhibited longer life expectancies due to their regular consumption of yogurt – which contained health-enhancing microbes. Although these days there are many foods marketed …
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with poor social skills, deficits in verbal and non-verbal communication, and frequent engagement in repetitive behaviors. On average, it affects boys more frequently (~5-fold) than girls and signs of the disorder become noticeable in early childhood [between ages 1 and 3]. Estimates suggest that over 21 million individuals throughout …