Current Evidence from Animal Models on Molecular Changes Underlying Antidepressant Effects of Psychobiotics.

ABSTRACT: The treatment of depression is an uphill battle due to the low efficiency and delayed clinical response of antidepressants and the fact that most of them cause numerous side effects. Psychobiotics, probiotics that affect brain function and confer mental health benefits, emerged as a promising ally showing protective effects against depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors in various animal models of depression. There is rapidly accumulating evidence that psychobiotics show protective effects at the molecular level as well, affecting several pathophysiological processes implicated in depression. This narrative review summarizes preclinical insights into molecular changes related to the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, peripheral inflammation, neuroinflammation, neurotransmission and

SUBMITTER: Todorovic Vukotic N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12844937 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature