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4d ago

Lower Diversity of Oral Microbes Linked to Depression Symptoms

Saliva microbiome profiles could serve as depression biomarkers once underlying mechanisms are clarified.

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The researchers found that people with less diversity in their oral microbiomes were more likely to have symptoms of depression. Credit: Neuroscience News
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Overview

  • Participants with lower oral microbial diversity reported significantly higher depression scores on standard PHQ-9 assessments.
  • Analysis combined gene sequencing of saliva samples with mental health surveys from over 15,000 US adults in the 2009–2012 NHANES cohort.
  • Researchers found that smoking, alcohol use, and dental care habits influenced the association between mouth bacteria and mood symptoms.
  • The study cannot confirm causation and suggests depression and oral dysbiosis may influence each other in a bidirectional relationship.
  • Authors urge further longitudinal and mechanistic research to explore oral bacteria as potential diagnostic markers or therapeutic targets for depression.