Considering the neuroprotective role of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in previous studies and combining evidence from other depression studies, we hypothesized that, like Fluoxetine, miR-16 may also be able to alleviate depressive symptoms through the up-regulation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathways and the reduction of both apoptosis and autophagy. The gene discussed is MTOR; the disease is major depressive disorder.