The Role of Gut Microbiota in Adolescent Depression: Insights from Adverse Childhood Experiences

124 adolescent volunteers aged 11-18 were recruited for the study, with the highest prevalence in 15-16 years old. 50% of adolescents with depression were born in single-parent families or grew up under the care of grandparents, who were less resilient. Moreover, depressed adolescents have more adverse childhood experiences (ACE). From the intestinal microbiota analysis, it was shown that the structure, diversity, abundance, and function of the gut flora has obviously changed in depressed youth. Beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacterium or butyric acid producing bacteria (e.g. Faecalibacterium, Fusicatenibacter and Roseburia) decreased while harmful bacteria increased in the intestinal tract of adolescents with depression, which affected the intestinal functions such as Brite Hierarchies, Cellular Processes, Metabolism, and so on. Further analysis suggested that these changes might cause by the ACE. The present study provides promising insights into the role of adolescent depression in understanding, among other things, the link associated with gut microbiota.