Gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the principal inhibitory neurotransmitter playing a key role in anxiety and depression disorders in mammals. Recent studies revealed that members of the gut microbiota are able to produce GABA modulating the gut-brain axis response. Among members of the human gut microbiota, bifidobacteria are well known to establish many metabolic and physiologic interactions with the host. In this study, we performed genome analyses of more than 1,000 bifidobacterial strains publicly available revealing that Bifidobacterium adolescentis taxon might represent a model GABA producer in human gastrointestinal tract. Moreover, the in silico screening of human/animal metagenomic datasets showed an intriguing association/correlation between B. adolescentis load and mental disorders such as depression and anxiety. Interestingly, in vitro screening of 82 B. adolescentis strains allowed identifying two high GABA producers, i.e. B. adolescentis PRL2019 and B. adolescentis HD17T2H, which were employed in an in vivo trial in rats. Feeding Groningen rats with a supplementation of B. adolescentis strains, confirmed the ability of these microorganisms to stimulate the in vivo production of GABA highlighting their potential implication in gut-brain axis interactions. Gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a non-protein amino acid that is widely distributed in plants, animals and microorganisms 1,2. GABA is synthetized by a pyridocal-5′-phosphate (PLP)-dependent glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) enzyme by irreversible α-decarboxylation of l-glutamate and consummation of one cytoplasmic proton 1,2. GABA has several well-known physiological and psychological functions. Different studies highlighted that it is predominantly present in the brain where it acts as a major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS) 1,2. Specifically, dysfunctions in GABA metabolism are involved in anxiety and depression 3-5. Furthermore, it is involved in the regulation of blood pressure and heart rate and plays a role in the perception of pain and anxiety 5,6. Other potential health benefits of GABA are control of growth hormone secretion, protection against glycerol-induced acute renal failure in rats and anti-proliferative activity 7. Recently, the term "psychobiotic" has been introduced to designate live bacterial strains, including lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, which are able to influence the CNS function 8. There are several compounds produced by these bacteria, such as proteins, peptides and components of cell wall that are potential mediators between bacteria and their hosts. Neurotransmitters, such as GABA, represent an example of neuroactive molecules