Diet–Microbiota–Intestinal Barrier Interactions in Mood Disorders: Mechanisms, Biomarkers, and Nutritional Interventions

The relationship between nutrition, gut microbiota, intestinal barrier integrity, and mental health has become an important area of research. Growing evidence highlights the central role of the gut microbiota in bidirectional communication between the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system through the gut-microbiota-brain (GMB) axis. This expanded framework recognizes the gut microbiota as a key regulator of neurobiological processes. Interactions among dietary patterns, gut microbial composition, intestinal permeability, immune responses, and systemic inflammation are increasingly implicated in the pathophysiology of mood disorders, including depression and anxiety. Individuals with these disorders frequently exhibit gut dysbiosis, impaired intestinal barrier function, and chronic low-grade inflammation, which may contribute to neuroinflammation and altered neurotransmitter signaling. Interventions targeting the gut microbiota and intestinal barrier, such as probiotics, psychobiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and anti-inflammatory dietary strategies, have gained attention for their potential to influence brain function and behavior. However, further research is needed to clarify underlying mechanisms, identify reliable biomarkers, and establish evidence-based nutritional approaches for the prevention and management of mood disorders.This Research Topic aims to advance understanding of the mechanistic links and therapeutic opportunities at the intersection of diet, microbiota, intestinal barrier, and mood. By convening experts across clinical nutrition, psychiatry, gastroenterology, immunology, and microbiome science, the goal is to clarify how specific dietary elements, microbial metabolites, and changes in gut permeability contribute to the onset, progression, and resolution of depression and related mood disorders. Key objectives are to delineate the mechanistic pathways linking the gut and brain, to discuss the role of inflammation and immune activation, and to critically evaluate the impact of targeted interventions such as probiotics/psychobiotics, gluten-free diets, and other nutrition-based therapies on mood outcomes. This Research Topic encourages submissions that examine both clinical and translational dimensions, including identification and validation of biomarkers that can inform diagnosis, risk stratification, or treatment response.To gather further insights into the complex interactions between diet, gut microbiota, the intestinal barrier, and mood disorders, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:• Mechanistic studies on gut–brain axis signaling in mood disorders.• The role of gut microbiota composition and function in depression and anxiety.• Diet-induced changes in gut permeability and their neuropsychiatric consequences.• The impact of inflammation and immune responses on intestinal and mental health.• Probiotic and psychobiotic interventions targeting mood and cognitive outcomes.• Gluten-related dietary approaches and their effects on mood and gut integrity.• Biomarkers of microbiota composition, gut permeability, inflammation, and clinical response.• Clinical trials and real-world effectiveness of nutrition-based interventions in mood disorders.• Personalized nutrition approaches for modulating the gut–brain axis in psychiatric care.• Translational and systems biology perspectives on diet–microbiota–brain interactions.Topic Editor Joanna Rog serves as the Head of Dietitians at Onebiome Sp. zo.o as an independent contractor. Other Topic Editors declare no conflicts of interest. Topic editors: Joanna Rog, Calogero Longhitano Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/82934/diet-microbiota-intestinal-barrier-interactions-in-mood-disorders-mechanisms-biomarkers-and-nutritional-interventions