Mechanism of development of depression and probiotics as adjuvant therapy for its prevention and management

Probiotics are in the spotlight of enteric neuroscience research that influences brain biochemistry, neural development and other behavioural phenomenon. Depression due to mood disorder, pathogenic infections/metabolic disorders, psychiatric illness, stressful life style, alters the function of neurochemicals. Out of various strategies, recent research has shown the mechanism of action of probiotics in alleviating mood disorders. Understanding the causes for depression and anxiety would pave way for the development of therapeutics to surmount the burden of depression and anxiety. Therefore, the present article emphasizes on the causes of generation of depression and possible strategies for their prevention and management through probiotics.