Tag: Helicobacter pylori

The association between psychological status and the development of early gastric cancer from atrophic gastritis

A recent hospital-based, cross-sectional observational study, was conducted in the Chinese population to explore the potential relationship between psychological state and the progression of atrophic gastritis (AG; caused by H. pylori or not) to early stage gastric cancer (EGC).

The study included 258 individuals receiving care in the Department of Gastroenterology at The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University between March 2020 and November 2024, and included 173 patients diagnosed with AG and 85 with EGC. Clinical profiles, demographic characteristics, and laboratory indices were initially recorded, and then comparative analyses were conducted between groups.

Results showed that, compared to the AG group, patients with EGC exhibited significantly higher psychological distress and depressive tendencies. These findings, while not conclusive, imply a possible association between psychological state and the presence of early gastric cancer (EGC) in patients with atrophic gastritis, thus suggesting that they could function as independent indicators and contribute to the malignant progression of EGC in patients.

Incorporating mental health screening tools could, therefore, offer supplementary value in the broader context of evaluating patients who might carry an increased likelihood of disease progression.

Learn more about this study here: http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000045653

Reference

Liang, Mengmeng BD; Wang, Juan MD; Li, Rui MD; Yang, Jun MD; Liu, Yuping BD; Zhao, Lian BD. The association between psychological status and the development of early gastric cancer from atrophic gastritis. Medicine 104(45):p e45653, November 07, 2025
The association between H. pylori infection and cognitive deterioration: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The association between cognitive decline and H. pylori infection remains controversial, with some evidence suggesting that H. pylori eradication may slow the progression of the disease.

A new meta-analysis reviewed 16 studies to explore whether H. pylori affects cognitive function and whether cognitive decline is linked to higher rates of infection.

The analysis found that people with H. pylori infection had a higher risk of cognitive decline, especially when cognitive dysfunction and dementia were combined. However, the infection was not clearly linked to Alzheimer’s disease. Conversely, people with Alzheimer’s disease were more likely to have H. pylori infection than those without, though the association was weaker for other forms of dementia.

These findings suggest a bidirectional relationship in which H. pylori may contribute to cognitive decline, and certain cognitive conditions may increase susceptibility to infection. The study also highlights the need for more well-designed research to fully understand this complex interaction.

Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-025-03160-8

Reference

Elhady, M.M., Zidan, A., Rabea, E.M. et al. The association between H. pylori infection and cognitive deterioration: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Med Res 30, 846 (2025)
Regulatory Effects of Probiotics on Anxiety and Depression‑Like Behaviors in H. pylori‑Infected Rats

In a recent experimental study, researchers used rats to explore whether the use of probiotics such as Lactobacillus can mitigate anxiety- and depression-like behaviors, counteracting the psychological and biological effects of H. pylori infection. Infected rats were treated with each probiotic alone or with the combination, and were then evaluated using standard behavioral tests for anxiety and depression.

Both probiotics, especially when co-administered, reversed the depressive and anxiogenic effects induced by H. pylori. Probiotic supplementation also corrected several brain changes linked to H. pylori, including oxidative stress, inflammation, reduced BDNF/serotonin, and elevated corticosterone.

The findings suggest that multi-strain probiotics may help manage psychiatric symptoms associated with H. pylori infection, and that they merit further clinical evaluation in patients with psychiatric comorbidities.

Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12602-025-10674-4

Reference

Ahmadi-Soleimani, S.M., Masoudi, M., Tabrizi, A.M.A. et al. Regulatory Effects of Probiotics on Anxiety and Depression-Like Behaviors in H. pylori-Infected Rats. Probiotics & Antimicro. Prot. (2025)
Genetic correlation, pleiotropic loci and shared risk genes between major depressive disorder and gastrointestinal tract disorders

Although depression is often linked to digestive disorders, the biological connection behind this phenomenon has remained unclear.

A recent genome-wide association study analyzed genetic data from hundreds of thousands of people to explore potential links between major depressive disorder (MDD) and gastrointestinal conditions such as peptic ulcers (mainly caused by H. pylori infection), acid reflux, irritable bowel disease, and inflammatory bowel disease.

The researchers found that depression shares genetic risk factors with most digestive disorders, meaning that some of the same genes and genetic regions influence both mental and gut health. The study also suggested that genetic susceptibility to certain gut conditions may increase the risk of depression, once again highlighting the strong gut-brain connection.

These findings could help scientists better understand the gut-brain connection and may point to new ways to treat gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with depression.

Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2025.01.048

Reference

Zhou, S., Zi, J., Hu, Y., Wang, X., Cheng, G., & Xiong, J. (2025). Genetic correlation, pleiotropic loci and shared risk genes between major depressive disorder and gastrointestinal tract disorders. Journal of affective disorders, 374, 84–90.
Association of Helicobacter pylori Infection with Depression and Anxiety: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The association between Helicobacter pylori infection and depression and anxiety has been reported in the literature.

A meta-analysis was developed in 2024 with the aim of investigating the association between H. pylori infection with these mental health conditions. The systematic search was conducted not only in international sources such as PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase, but also in Chinese databases, and looked for observational studies that reported the incidence or prevalence of depression and anxiety in patients with H. pylori infection.

Surprisingly, while the findings of this analysis showed a significant positive association between the bacteria and anxiety disorders, the association with depression appeared to be insignificant. Nevertheless, this finding seems to imply that clinicians treating H. pylori patients should also address their psychological well-being.

Learn more about this review here: https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/9247586

Reference

Li, Lu, Ren, Yadi, Wang, Zeyu, Niu, Yanqing, Zhao, Ying, Aihaiti, Xiaherezhati, Ji, Yinglan, Li, Man, Association of Helicobacter pylori Infection with Depression and Anxiety: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, International Journal of Clinical Practice, 2024, 9247586, 9 pages, 2024.
Impact of Helicobacter pylori eradication on age‑specific risk of incident dementia in patients with peptic ulcer disease: a nationwide population‑based cohort study

A large South Korean cohort study from 2024 examined whether peptic ulcer disease (PUD) and Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy influence dementia risk in adults aged 55–79.

Using national health insurance data from 2002–2015 and propensity score matching, researchers assessed overall dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) over 5–10 years. While the researchers did not directly verify the presence of the bacteria, their findings were based on treatment history.

The results showed that PUD was associated with a higher risk of developing dementia, with a stronger link for overall dementia than for AD. Eradication therapy itself did not markedly change overall risk, but later treatment was associated with greater dementia risk, highlighting the importance of timely management. Age-stratified analyses also indicated elevated AD risk, particularly in individuals in their 60s and 70s.

Overall, the findings suggest that PUD is a risk factor for dementia in older adults, and that early treatment of H. pylori infection may play a role in prevention strategies for neurodegenerative diseases.

Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-024-01284-z

Reference

Kang, D.W., Lee, JW., Park, M.Y. et al. Impact of Helicobacter pylori eradication on age-specific risk of incident dementia in patients with peptic ulcer disease: a nationwide population-based cohort study. GeroScience 47, 1161–1174 (2025).
Investigating the synergistic effects of amitriptyline and H. pylori eradication on depressive-like behaviors and inflammatory cytokines in mice

Recent research has highlighted the potential role of Helicobacter pylori in the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders. In this experimental study, researchers used mice to explore whether combining amitriptyline with H. pylori eradication therapy produced greater benefits than either treatment alone.

Male mice were firstly allocated into four groups: healthy controls, H. pylori-infected mice, mice receiving antidepressant treatment only, and mice receiving both antidepressant and eradication therapy.

The initial findings confirmed that H. pylori infection induced depression-like behaviors in mice. In addition, while the use of antidepressants alone slightly improved these depression-like behaviors, it was the combination of antidepressants and bacterial eradication therapy that induced a more significant improvement in these symptoms. The combined treatment also appears to have led to an improvement in the psychomotor function of the animals.

Inflammatory cytokines (e.g., interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)) are usually released in response to Helicobacter colonization and tissue damage, leading to a chronic state of inflammation, but are also associated with depression-like behaviors in humans and animal models, behaviors that have been shown to be attenuated by the use of antidepressants. In this study, researchers found that not only was H. pylori infection associated with changes in inflammatory cytokine levels, but that these alterations were partially reversed when both therapies were used together.

Overall, the findings suggest that targeting both infection and mood symptoms simultaneously may offer enhanced behavioral and anti-inflammatory benefits compared to isolated treatment approaches.

Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2024.114552

Reference

Miao Xu and Hua Fan, “Investigating the synergistic effects of amitriptyline and H. pylori eradication on depressive-like behaviors and inflammatory cytokines in mice”, Physiology & Behavior, Volume 281, 1 July 2024, 114552
Value of serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor and glial fibrillary acidic protein for detecting depression in patients with Helicobacter pylori infection

Depression is often associated with Helicobacter pylori and the success of its treatment.

In this recent research paper, it was shown that people infected with these bacteria have lower levels of BDNF (a brain health marker considered a promising biomarker of depression) and higher levels of GFAP (a protein known as a marker of astroglia pathology in depression) in their blood, a change that is strongly related to depression symptoms. The researchers also found that a combined marker including BDNF, GFAP, gut hormone levels, and gastrointestinal symptoms scores was able to accurately predict depression in infected patients.

These findings suggest that these markers could be used to detect depression in people with H. pylori infection.

Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neulet.2024.137687

Reference

Zhao, E., Yu, Q., Wang, M., Wang, Z., Jiang, B., Ma, X., Zhou, B., Dai, Q., Li, J., Wang, S., Chen, F., & Yang, X. (2024). Value of serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor and glial fibrillary acidic protein for detecting depression in patients with Helicobacter pylori infection. Neuroscience letters, 825, 137687.
New-Onset Illness Anxiety Disorder After Helicobacter Pylori Infection: A Case Report

In this interesting case study from 2024, a 21-year-old woman developed illness anxiety disorder (IAD), formerly known as hypochondria, following a Helicobacter pylori infection.

In the case, even after the H. pylori infection was successfully treated, the patient’s anxiety persisted, affecting her daily life and leading to frequent medical visits and avoidance behaviors.

While the study also explored potential psychosocial risk factors that may contribute to developing IAD and discussed both pharmacological and psychological treatment options, this case underscores how physical health events, like infections, can sometimes trigger or exacerbate mental health conditions, emphasizing the importance of integrated care for both gut and mental health.

Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.52613

Reference

Labban S A, Murshid L, Yousef Alhazmi A, et al. (January 20, 2024) New-Onset Illness Anxiety Disorder After Helicobacter Pylori Infection: A Case Report. Cureus 16(1): e52613.
Helicobacter Pylori and Psychiatric Disorders: Comorbidity and Therapeutic Perspectives

This 2023 observational study, conducted over three consecutive years in a psychiatric clinic, followed adults receiving outpatient psychiatric care for different psychiatric disorders.

Of those patients, 291 had depression that did not respond to treatment, persistent iron deficiency, or digestive complaints, and were tested for the presence of Helicobacter pylori. After confirming the infection and treating it, most patients also received iron and vitamins B9 and B12 when needed.

The results were striking: 74% of H. pylori–positive patients who continued psychiatric follow-up reported improvement after treatment. They experienced reductions in symptoms such as apathy, loss of pleasure, anxiety, sadness, cognitive problems, derealization, and sleep disturbances.

Although these benefits may be linked to several biological mechanisms, including reduced brain inflammation and changes in how tryptophan is metabolized, as well as the removal of toxins produced by the bacteria the researchers suggest that screening and treating H. pylori infection may meaningfully support psychiatric care in selected patients.

Learn more about this study here: https://www.scientificliterature.org/Anxiety/Anxiety-23-136.pdf

Reference

Kassir Adel and Kassir Sarah. Helicobacter Pylori and Psychiatric Disorders: Comorbidity and Therapeutic Perspectives. Anxiety And Depression Journal. 2023; 4(1):136
Helicobacter Pylori Associated Depression among Patients Presenting with Epigastric Pain

Helicobacter pylori infection is an extremely prevalent infection that has been connected not only to a number of illnesses such as stomach cancer and peptic ulcer disease. H. pylori has also been linked to depression but the mechanisms behind this connection are still poorly understood.

A research study by Mohamed and colleagues aimed to better explore this relation by assessing the presence and severity of depression in 150 patients with or without H. pylori infection.

When comparing both groups, the authors found that H. pylori infection was significantly associated with depression and, more interestingly, with its severity. These findings point to the importance of assessing the presence of gastrointestinal symptoms or dyspepsia in patients with depression.

Learn more about this study here: https://healthcitizens.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Mohamed-and-Elrassas_Helicobacter-Pylori-.pdf

Reference

Dina M. Mohamed and Hanan Elrassas, “Helicobacter Pylori Associated Depression among Patients Presenting with Epigastric Pain”, The Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine (January 2023) Vol. 90 (2), Page 2315-2320
Helicobacter pylori Infection Is Associated with Long-Term Cognitive Decline in Older Adults: A Two-Year Follow-Up Study

Helicobacter pylori infection is usually known for causing stomach problems, but it may also affect brain health. This research study published in 2023 followed 268 older adults with memory complaints for two years to see whether H. pylori infection was linked to cognitive decline.

While at the beginning of the study, people with and without H. pylori performed similarly on memory tests, over the two-year follow-up, those with a history of infection showed greater declines in their Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores. After taking into account age, sex, education, genetic risk factors and common medical conditions, H. pylori infection was still associated with a significantly higher risk of cognitive decline, with infected participants more likely to lose three or more MMSE points and showing a faster rate of decline over time.

These findings suggest that H. pylori infection may contribute to progressive cognitive deterioration in older adults with memory complaints and may be relevant in understanding pathways linking infection and dementia.

Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-221112

Reference

Wang J, Yu N-W, Wang D-Z, et al. Helicobacter pylori Infection Is Associated with Long-Term Cognitive Decline in Older Adults: A Two-Year Follow-Up Study. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. 2023;91(4):1351-1358.
Depression among people with dyspepsia and H. pylori infection: A community based cross-sectional study in Ethiopia

A 2022 community-based study in southwest Ethiopia explored potential links between Helicobacter pylori infection, dyspepsia, and depression in residents aged 13 years and older.

Among the 871 participants – most of whom were married, had no formal education, and lived in rural areas – around 11% showed signs of probable depression. The prevalence was slightly higher (13%) among those experiencing at least one symptom of dyspepsia. Interestingly, in this study, H. pylori infection alone was not linked to higher depression rates, nor were age or gender.

The findings suggest digestive symptoms may increase the risk of depression, highlighting the importance of addressing both mental and gut health when managing gastrointestinal symptoms.

Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0275424

Reference

Soboka, M., Gudina, E. K., Gashaw, M., Amare, H., Berhane, M., Desalegn, H., Tewolde, D., Jebena, M. G., Ali, S., Wieser, A., Froeschl, G., & Tesfaye, M. (2022). Depression among people with dyspepsia and H. pylori infection: A community based cross-sectional study in Ethiopia. PloS one, 17(10), e0275424.
Rapamycin Attenuates Anxiety and Depressive Behavior Induced by Helicobacter pylori in Association with Reduced Circulating Levels of Ghrelin

In this experimental study, researchers investigated how H. pylori infection influences depression-like behavior and certain biological markers in mice, focusing especially on the hormone ghrelin.

Mice infected with the bacteria showed more anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in standard laboratory tests compared with healthy mice. They moved less, showed more signs of stress, and had lower preference for sweet solutions, a common indicator of loss of pleasure.
Biologically, H. pylori infection led to reduced circulating ghrelin levels and activation of the mTOR signaling pathway in the stomach. It was also associated with increased markers of brain inflammation and cell injury in the hippocampus, a brain region important for mood regulation. When mice were treated with rapamycin, an mTOR inhibitor, ghrelin levels increased and brain-inflammation markers were reduced.

Overall, the study suggests that H. pylori infection may contribute to anxiety- and depression-like behaviors by lowering ghrelin levels and increasing neuroinflammation, highlighting a potential biological link between gut infection and mental health.

Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/2847672

Reference

Tian, Jiageng, Wang, Zeyu, Ren, Yadi, Jiang, Yong, Zhao, Ying, Li, Man, Zhang, Zhiguang, Rapamycin Attenuates Anxiety and Depressive Behavior Induced by Helicobacter pylori in Association with Reduced Circulating Levels of Ghrelin, Neural Plasticity, 2022, 2847672, 8 pages, 2022.
Increased risk of short-term depressive disorder after Helicobacter pylori eradication: A population-based nested cohort study

A study using Taiwan’s National Health Insurance data found that antibiotic therapy for H. pylori in patients with peptic ulcer disease was linked to a short-term increase in psychiatrist-diagnosed depression within 30 days. Women and patients treated with clarithromycin were particularly at higher risk.

The researchers reported that the increased risk of depression after H. pylori eradication therapy may involve alterations in the brain-gut-microbiome axis induced by antibiotic treatment, as is it well known that antibiotics can change the gut microbial composition, metabolism, and function, thereby affecting human health and possibly contributing to the pathophysiology of depression.

Based on these findings, the authors recommend that clinicians should monitor mental health shortly after H. pylori eradication, as short-term depressive symptoms may occur and be easily overlooked.

Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.1111/hel.12824

Reference

Tsai C-F, Chen M-H, Wang Y-P, et al. Increased risk of short-term depressive disorder after Helicobacter pylori eradication: A population-based nested cohort study. Helicobacter. 2021; 26:e12824.
GWAS of peptic ulcer disease implicates Helicobacter pylori infection, other gastrointestinal disorders and depression

A study of over 450,000 people in the UK Biobank identified 8 independent genes that affect stomach acid, gut movement, and the body’s response to infection, including susceptibility to Helicobacter pylori infection.

The study also explored connections between these gut conditions and depression, which often occurs alongside digestive problems, providing new insights into the complex interplay between gut health and mental well-being.

Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-21280-7

Reference

Wu, Y., Murray, G.K., Byrne, E.M. et al. GWAS of peptic ulcer disease implicates Helicobacter pylori infection, other gastrointestinal disorders and depression. Nat Commun 12, 1146 (2021)
The Psychotic Impact of Helicobacter pylori Gastritis and Functional Dyspepsia on Depression: A Systematic Review

The clinical practice of adding antidepressant drugs to the therapy for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori, in addition to the standard drug regimen, has been widely considered in recent years but its specific role in this treatment is still unclear.

In this systematic review researchers tried to establish if there is an association between H. pylori gastritis and depression and to further analyze the therapeutic effect of antidepressants on symptomatic relief in gastritis. For that, they analyzed randomized clinical trials, cross-sectional and prospective studies, and review articles that examined H. pylori infection, depression, functional dyspepsia, and antidepressant treatment. They focused especially on patients whose digestive symptoms did not improve even after successful H. pylori eradication.

Across the studies, a clear pattern emerged: patients with ongoing functional dyspepsia after H. pylori treatment often improved when they were given antidepressants, even when standard eradication therapy alone had not worked. However, the authors highlight that more research is needed before this approach becomes routine medical practice.

Learn more about this review here: https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.5956

Reference

Al Quraan A M, Beriwal N, Sangay P, et al. (October 21, 2019) The Psychotic Impact of Helicobacter pylori Gastritis and Functional Dyspepsia on Depression: A Systematic Review. Cureus 11(10)
Psychological effects of Helicobacter pylori-associated atrophic gastritis in patients under 50 years: A cross-sectional study

A cross-sectional, observational study involving 975 Japanese individuals who underwent a health checkup, has found that people with atrophic gastritis had a significantly higher risk of experiencing psychological distress or depressed mood.

Interestingly, the risk was higher in females under 50 years old, regardless of H. pylori infection status.

Although the mechanism remains to be elucidated, the researchers suggest there is a possibility that nutritional status, neuroendocrinologic factors, and/or socioeconomic factors are involved. However, further studies are necessary to reveal the precise underlying mechanisms.

Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.1111/hel.12445

Reference

Takeoka A, Tayama J, Kobayashi M, et al. Psychological effects of Helicobacter pylori-associated atrophic gastritis in patients under 50 years: A cross-sectional study. Helicobacter. 2017; 22:e12445