Aug 2026· Frontiers in Microbiology· 0 citations· 29 references
TL;DR
Although PA level was not significantly associated with overall gut microbial diversity in college students with SD, it was closely associated with the differential distribution of specific functional genera, closely associated with the differential distribution of specific functional genera.
Abstract
Subthreshold depression (SD) represents a subclinical state between mental health and major depressive disorder (MDD) and is associated with a high prevalence and substantial risk of progression to MDD. Physical activity (PA) has been proposed to exert antidepressant effects through modulation of the gut–brain axis. However, the association between PA level and gut microbiota profiles in individuals with SD remains poorly understood.
This is a cross-sectional observational study. Stratified random sampling was used to screen full-time undergraduates aged 18–25 years at Jimei University for subthreshold depression. Following initial screening with the CES-D and secondary screening with a structured clinical interview, the HAMD-17, and the BDI-II, 122 participants were enrolled. Participants were assigned by IPAQ short form to low (
n
= 46), moderate (
n
= 47), and high (
n
= 29) physical activity groups. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed as maximal oxygen uptake estimated by a submaximal Astrand-Rhyming cycle ergometer test. Fecal samples were subjected to 16S rRNA gene V3–V4 sequencing; α-diversity, β-diversity, differential genera, and keystone species were analyzed.
No significant differences in α-diversity or β-diversity were observed among the three PA groups (
P
> 0.05). However, distinct taxonomic signatures were identified. The low-PA group was enriched in potentially pro-inflammatory taxa, including
Streptococcaceae
and
Eggerthella
(
P
< 0.05), whereas the moderate-PA group exhibited increased abundance of butyrate-producing genera, including
Roseburia
and
Lachnospiraceae_UCG-010
(
P
< 0.05). The high-PA group showed significant enrichment of Dorea (
P
< 0.05).
Faecalibacterium
exhibited the highest Structural Keystoneness (Ks) within the microbial co-occurrence network, and its relative abundance was positively associated with VO
2
max. Moreover, Median (Ks) was strongly correlated with MAD (Ks) (ρ = 0.602,
P
< 0.001), indicating that the ecological importance of high-keystone taxa is highly context dependent.
Although PA level was not significantly associated with overall gut microbial diversity in college students with SD, it was closely associated with the differential distribution of specific functional genera. These findings provide novel evidence supporting the role of PA-related microbial remodeling in SD and may facilitate the development of microbiota-targeted interventions that mimic exercise-induced benefits.
Background Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a leading contributor to global disability and is increasingly recognised as a significant cardiovascular risk factor mediated through autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysregulation. Methods This cross-sectional comparative study investigated associations between sleep quality, physical activity, and heart rate variability (HRV) including Poincare plot indices (SD1, SD2, SD1/SD2 ratio) in 46 adults with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR) confirmed MDD versus 46 non-depressed controls (aged 18–45 years) recruited at the Dr BC Roy Multi-Speciality Medical Research Centre, IIT Kharagpur, India. Results MDD participants demonstrated markedly reduced HRV across all domains: SDNN (39.2 ± 14.8 vs 58.0 ± 18.6 ms), rMSSD (27.4 ± 12.6 vs 46.2 ± 15.4 ms), SD1 (19.4 ± 8.8 vs 32.6 ± 11.2 ms), SD2 (52.2 ± 18.6 vs 77.4 ± 21.8 ms), and high-frequency power (5.36 ± 0.88 vs 6.56 ± 0.80 ln ms²; all p < 0.001). Poor sleep quality (PSQI ≥ 7) was significantly more prevalent in MDD (82.6% vs 47.8%). PSQI scores were independently associated with reduced HRV in multivariable regression, with associations substantially stronger in MDD participants and particularly in females with MDD. Physical inactivity amplified sleep-related HRV decrements. Conclusion These cross-sectional findings are consistent with the hypothesis that comprehensive HRV assessment, systematic sleep quality screening, and structured physical activity promotion may be beneficial components of MDD management, pending confirmation from longitudinal interventional studies.
Arijita Banerjee, Sumit Kumar· Frontiers in Physiology· 0 citations
BACKGROUND
Post-stroke depression (PSD) is a common complication after stroke and contributes to poor functional recovery and reduced quality of life. Dietary quality has been associated with depression in the general population, but evidence in individuals with stroke remains limited. This study examined the cross-sectional association between the Healthy Eating Index-2020 (HEI-2020) and PSD.
METHODS
This study included 962 adults with a history of stroke from seven cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2005 to 2018. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, with a score ≥ 10 indicating probable depression. Dietary quality was evaluated using HEI-2020 and categorized into tertiles. Multivariate logistic regression, restricted cubic spline analysis, and mediation analysis were used to assess associations and the statistical indirect association of the Dietary Index for Gut Microbiota (DI-GM).
RESULTS
After multivariate adjustment, each one-point increase in HEI-2020 score was associated with 2% lower odds of probable depression (PHQ-9-defined) (OR = 0.98). Compared with the low dietary quality group, the high dietary quality group had 59% lower odds (OR = 0.41). The dose-response relationship was nonlinear, with a significant inverse association observed only when HEI-2020 scores exceeded 57. This exploratory threshold may serve as a reference for future prospective studies but requires validation before clinical application. Furthermore, a significant interaction with race or ethnicity was identified (P for interaction = 0.033). DI-GM showed a significant indirect association (P = 0.04), but the direct and indirect components were in opposite directions, indicating an inconsistent mediation pattern. Given that DI-GM is a dietary proxy, these findings reflect statistical associations with a dietary pattern, not biological mediation. Future studies with direct microbiome measurements are needed to verify gut-brain axis involvement in PSD.
CONCLUSIONS
In this cross-sectional study, HEI-2020 was inversely associated with PSD, with nonlinear and race-specific patterns. DI-GM showed a significant but inconsistent indirect association, suggesting a suppressive rather than mediating role. Findings are associational, not causal.
Can Xing, Zhenhui Lu, Xiaoming Guo et al.· BMC Psychiatry· 0 citations
Objective Cognitive impairment runs through the entire course of major depressive disorder (MDD). However, the relationships between cognitive impairment and the gut microbiota (GM) and their predicted metabolic pathways as well as peripheral blood indicators remains unclear. We aimed to explore these relationships. Method Patients (n = 61) and healthy controls (HCs, n = 84) were enrolled. Our analyses were performed using data from the Hamilton Depression Scale, cognitive function (MATRICS™ Consensus Cognitive Battery [MCCB]), the GM and their predicted metabolic pathways, and peripheral blood indicators, including homocysteine (Hcy), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and C-reactive protein (CRP). Results In comparison with HCs, patients with MDD exhibited significant cognitive impairment, elevated SOD levels, enrichment of specific GM, and upregulation of microbial predicted metabolic pathways involving L-alanine, pyruvate, and salicortin. In patients with MDD, the salicortin biosynthesis pathway and pathways related to L-alanine metabolism were negatively correlated with the levels of Hcy and CRP, respectively, while the superpathway of de novo pyrimidine deoxyribonucleotide biosynthesis was positively correlated with the SOD levels. The abundance of Blautia_caecimuris and Dysosmobacter_sp._NSJ-60 was positively correlated with the scores for processing speed and attention/vigilance domain, while the abundance of Enterocloster_aldenensis was negatively correlated with the score for working memory. Moreover, the 6-gingerol analog biosynthesis pathway was negatively correlated with the score for processing speed. Conclusion Our research showed that the GM and their predicted metabolic pathways in patients with MDD were closely related to cognitive function and peripheral blood indicators, and that differences in these factors may manifest as oxidative stress and inflammation.
Hehua Li, Baoyuan Zhu, Yuanyuan Huang et al.· Frontiers in Microbiology· 0 citations
Background: The alarming trend of rising depression and insomnia among the world’s population, especially in young adults, demands urgent attention from both clinical and lifestyle medicine perspectives. This study aimed to evaluate whether habitual physical activity (PA) could improve sleep quality and depressive symptoms. It explores whether sleep parameters mediate the relationship between training intensity and depression. Methods: This cross-sectional study examined the relationships between PA, sleep quality, and depression in 349 participants, predominantly young adults, aged 16–54 (Median: 21, Q1–Q3: 20–23). Depressive symptoms and sleep quality were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). PA parameters, including training intensity and frequency, were evaluated via a study-specific self-report tool. Mediation effects were assessed utilising Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) to evaluate direct, indirect, and total effects. Results: Higher training intensity and training volume were associated with lower depressive symptoms. Except for the daytime dysfunction domain, the current data did not support sleep as a mediator in the relationship between physical activity and depressive symptoms. Participants with 3–5 years of training experience exhibited lower BDI scores compared to those with less than 12 months of experience. Interestingly, the type of PA did not influence BDI or PSQI scores, suggesting that consistency and intensity are more critical than the kind of exercise itself. Conclusions: Systematic, high-intensity PA, especially for a prolonged period of time, is significantly associated with lower depressive symptoms. The exploratory nature of this study highlights training frequency and intensity as potential factors that need further research. These findings highlight the mind–body connection and demonstrate that PA might be an intervention supporting mental well-being.
W. Hryniewicz, Igor Barczak, Kacper Fręśko et al.· Journal of Clinical Medicine· 0 citations
Anxiety and depression affect 32.3% of United States’ adults. Guideline-based moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) enhances mental health by increasing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and an array of neuroendocrine factors that also mitigate cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. We examined the response of 14 variables, including depression (Beck Depression Inventory-II), anxiety (Beck Anxiety Inventory), resilience (Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale [CD-RISC]), serum BDNF, and associated CVD risk factors (e.g., HbA1c, body composition, waist circumference) in sedentary middle-aged adults (n=29, MAGE = 51.31 ± 6.31) to a 4-week MVPA regimen. Hotelling’s T2 test showed moderate evidence to indicate the mean vectors for the 14 study variables that differed before and after MVPA (p=0.022). Pre- post-VO2peak, measured by the Åstrand-Rhyming Cycle Ergometer Test, increased by 5.93% (p=0.143). HbA1c decreased slightly following the intervention (−1.69%, p=0.052) across all subjects and by 3.7% (from 5.54±0.48 to 5.34±0.68) in those (n=20) who achieved MVPA guidelines in 4 weeks. However, neither BDNF nor body composition consistently improved following MVPA. Poisson regression revealed that when age increased, depression (p=0.042) decreased, and resilience increased (p=0.032). Alternatively, increases in body mass index (BMI) were associated with increases in depression (<0.001) and anxiety (p=0.017) plus decreased resilience (p=0.037). Findings indicate MVPA consistent with the U.S. PA Guidelines in sedentary middle-aged adults may decrease depression, HbA1c, and CVD risk and should be a priority amongst providers. Studies involving a larger sample and longer duration are warranted to establish specific relationships between mental health and CVD risk in middle-aged adults.
Elizabeth Moxley, S. Henert, Desale Habtezgi et al.· International Journal of Exe...· 0 citations
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a risk factor for neurodegeneration, yet its heterogeneity makes identifying at-risk subtype challenging. Notably, MDD frequently co-occurs with REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), a specific prodrome of α-synucleinopathy. It remains unclear whether comorbid MDD + RBD reflects a benign antidepressant effect, or higher neurodegenerative risk. Given growing recognition of gut-brain axis in neuropsychiatry, we aimed to delineate microbial signatures of MDD + RBD. We employed a four-group case-control design (N = 420) comprising 124 healthy controls (HC); 80 MDD without RBD features (MDD-only); 82 MDD + RBD; and 134 iRBD without psychiatric disease. All participants underwent clinical evaluation and provided fecal samples for metagenomic sequencing. Random Forest model was used to distinguish MDD + RBD, and further assessed in a validation dataset of 65 participants with MDD + RBD (n = 31) and MDD-only (n = 34). MDD + RBD exhibited prodromal neurodegenerative features, including elevated total likelihood ratio of prodromal Parkinson's Disease, olfactory deficits, and subtle motor signs. The microbial composition in MDD + RBD differed from HC and MDD-only, while resembling iRBD. Taxonomically, MDD + RBD exhibited an iRBD-like dysbiosis (e.g., enriched Akkermansia muciniphila, Ruthenibacterium lactatiformans; depleted Faecalibacterium prausnitzii), alongside depression-associated shifts (e.g., Streptococcus parasanguinis and Actinomyces oris). Functionally, MDD + RBD showed attenuated capacity of B‑vitamin biosynthesis and polysaccharides degradation, mirroring iRBD. The Random Forest machine-learning model distinguished MDD + RBD in older adults from MDD-only with an AUC of 0.73 in cross-validation and 0.79 in the validation dataset. MDD + RBD may represent a biologically distinct depression subtype associated with potential neurodegenerative risk. Gut microbiome provides a candidate approach for potential risk stratification in psychiatric populations.
Yuhua Yang, Ningning Li, Li Zhou et al.· Molecular Psychiatry· 0 citations