Multi-omics reveals associations between the microbiota-gut-brain axis and antidepressant effects of vagus nerve stimulation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Major depressive disorder is a severe mental health condition characterized by persistent depressed mood and loss of interest. Current first-line pharmacotherapies often exhibit limited therapeutic performance and adverse side effects. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is a promising, safe, and noninvasive alternative intervention with demonstrated neuromodulatory efficacy. Nevertheless, its mechanisms remain unclear. This study investigated whether the antidepressant properties of taVNS are associated with the microbiota-gut-brain axis, focusing on the potential crosstalk between differentially expressed hippocampal proteins and the gut microbiota.

Methods

A chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) rat model of depression was established, a

SUBMITTER: Pan D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12765250 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature