Research progress on exosomes in the pathogenesis and diagnosis of depression

Exosomes are extracellular vesicles that carry bioactive molecules and play a critical role in the development and progression of depression. Exosomes play a key mechanistic role in depression by orchestrating neuroinflammation, neuroplasticity, and neurotransmitter levels. Their specific components and physical properties demonstrate potential as novel biomarkers across depression subtypes. Simultaneously, exosomes possess a dual capacity to act as drug delivery vehicles for precise targeting and to promote neuroregeneration through cargo modulation. Therefore, this review systematically summarizes the roles of exosomes in various aspects of depression, provides insights for identifying novel biomarkers and therapeutic carriers, and advances the field from mechanistic research toward clinical translation.