Disruption of the gut microbiota-inflammation-brain axis in unmedicated bipolar disorder II depression

Motivation: The relationships of the gut microbiota-inflammation-brain axis in depressive bipolar disorder (BD) remains under-elaborated. Goal(s): To investigate relationships of the gut microbiota-inflammation-brain axis in BD. Approach: To explore the mechanisms underlying the collaborative interaction among brain dysfunction, gut microbiota changes, and inflammation and immune dysregulation in BD II depression. Results: The current study identified disrupted spontaneous activity and connectivity in cerebellar-DMN in patients with unmedicated BD II depression. Increased intestinal proinflammatory bacteria, and Glu and GABA metabolism related bacteria, as well as elevated serum pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines were also found in BD II depression. Impact: The findings bridged a gap in the underlying pathophysiological mechanism of the gut microbiota-inflammation-brain axis in BD II depression.