Key result
Post-stroke depression is linked to substantially higher gut microbiota alpha diversity versus healthy controls.
Why the study?
Evidence of changes in gut microbiota composition and function in post-stroke depression has been accumulating, prompting a systematic evaluation of their relationship.
Are there differences in gut microbiota diversity and abundance in patients with post-stroke depression compared to healthy controls or stroke patients?
Meta-Analysis (n=1,556)
Are there differences in gut microbiota diversity and abundance in patients with post-stroke depression compared to healthy controls or stroke patients?
Standardized Mean Difference: 1.669 (95% CI 0.928–2.41)
p-value: p=<0.001
Patients with post-stroke depression exhibit altered gut microbiota diversity and composition compared to healthy controls and stroke patients, suggesting a potential role of the gut-brain axis in this condition.
Increased gut microbiota diversity in post-stroke depression supports gut-brain axis role; hypothesis-generating for causality and interventions.
Background Evidence of changes in the composition and function of the gut microbiota (GM) in post-stroke depression (PSD) patients is gradually accumulating. This study aimed to systematically evaluate the relationship between PSD and GM. Methods We searched in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane databases, Wangfang, VIP, CBM, and CNKI from the establishment of the database to April 17, 2024, and systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to investigate the differences of GM between patients with PSD spectrum and healthy controls (HC) or stroke spectrum. Result There were 14 studies consisting a total of 1,556 individuals included in the meta-analysis. The pooled results showed that PSD spectrum demonstrated significantly increased α diversity as indexed by Chao1 index, ACE indexes, Shannon index, and Simpson index as compared to HC. Additionally, stroke spectrum significantly increased α diversity as indexed by Simpson index compared to PSD. Furthermore, the pooled estimation of relative abundance showed that Bacteroidota , Fusobacteriota , and Pseudomonadota in PSD patients were significantly higher than those in the HC group, while the abundance of Bacillota was higher in the HC group. Moreover, significant differences in GM were observed between PSD patients and HC at the family and genus levels. Conclusion This study found that the α diversity of PSD patients was higher than that of HC. Moreover, there were also differences in the distribution of GM at the phylum, family, and genus levels, respectively. At the same time, the level of Lachnospira in PSD patients was lower than that in the stroke group. Systematic review registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/ , identifier CRD42024582708.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Li et al. (2025) conducted a meta-analysis in Post-stroke depression (n=1,556). Post-stroke depression vs. Healthy controls or stroke patients was evaluated on Alpha diversity (Chao1 index) between post-stroke depression and healthy controls (Hedges' g 1.669, 95% CI 0.928-2.410, p=<0.001). Patients with post-stroke depression demonstrated significantly increased gut microbiota alpha diversity compared to healthy controls, as indicated by the Chao1 index (Hedges' g 1.669).
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: