More than a gut feeling: Emerging roles of the microbiome in the pathophysiology and treatment of depression

Advancements in the past decade of our knowledge about how the gut-brain axis influences mental health are remarkable. The enthusiasm and engagement in the microbes and mental health extend beyond neuroscientists, psychologists, and psychiatrists to the public and media. This fast-growing field is inundated with news articles, books targeting public audiences, and scientific review articles written by nonexperts creating a mixture of hype and hope related to the potential role for the microbiome in the pathophysiology and treatment of depression. This chapter will highlight the research evidence that supports the connection between microbiota and mental health and will consider the potential for therapeutic that targets the microbiome for psychiatry.