摘要This paper examines the correlation be-tween depressive disorders and intestinal flora.Depres-sion is a common affective disorder characterized by low mood,loss of interest,anhedonia,high incidence,high recurrence rate,high disability rate,and high medical costs.The incidence and harmfulness of depressive disor-der are gradually increasing,and its etiology is complex and diverse,among which the abnormal intestinal flora is considered to be one of the causes of depressive dis-order.This article reviews the results of several studies that found intestinal flora imbalance in depressed patients,including changes in the type and quantity of flora and changes in metabolic pathways.In addition,antibiotic and probiotic treatments have also been shown to be ef-fective in alleviating depressive symptoms,further indi-cating the importance of intestinal flora disturbances in the pathogenesis of depression.We also explored the re-lationship between intestinal flora and the pathogenesis of depressive disorders.Through neuro-immuno-endo-crine-metabolic pathways,intestinal flora can affect the function of the central nervous system,cause changes in the host's mental behavior,and lead to or aggravate de-pressive symptoms.Overall,this study not only found dif-ferences in the intestinal flora of patients with depressive disorders but also revealed the potential role of intestinal flora in the pathogenesis.Importantly,this provides a new theoretical basis for further clarifying the pathogenesis of depressive disorders and formulating diagnosis and treat-ment strategies.