Adolescent refractory anxiety disorders rising: Gut microbiota-associated metabolites to the rescue?

This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the gut microbiota and its associated metabolites in relation to stress and anxiety disorders, with a specific focus on adolescents. It addresses the dearth of information regarding the composition of microbiota-associated metabolites that have the potential to effectively alleviate anxiety and stress disorders in this age group. Adolescence is a vulnerable period characterized by hormonal, physiological, emotional, and environmental changes, making individuals more prone to psychiatric disorders that manifest as stress and anxiety. However, treatment is challenging due to patient non-compliance, particularly in refractory cases, necessitating tailored interventions. The gut microbiota, a vast community of microorganisms residing in the gastrointestinal system, plays a crucial role in influencing brain function through the microbiota-gut-brain axis (MGBA). Understanding the role of the gut microbiota in stress and anxiety disorders has opened avenues for potential targeted and innovative therapeutic approaches. This review consolidates the existing knowledge about gut microbiota and associated metabolites implicated in stress and anxiety disorders in adolescents. Through an extensive literature review, we compile a comprehensive list of microorganisms and metabolites known to alleviate symptoms of these disorders. The identification of microbiota-associated metabolites with the potential to ameliorate stress and anxiety disorders in adolescents can bridge the knowledge deficit and contribute to the development of novel treatment strategies and interventions, including unconventional approaches such as fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT).