The JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway can mediate apoptosis‐related gene expression and the upregulation of antiapoptotic genes which are beneficial in reducing neuronal apoptosis.[31] In our study, results from GO enrichment analysis of the downstream targets indicated that miR‐204‐5p was most likely to be involved in the pathogenesis of depression by activating transcription factors and mediating neuroinflammation and apoptosis. Here, STAT3 is linked to major depressive disorder.