The Safety, Efficacy, and Tolerability of Microbial Ecosystem Therapeutic-2 in People with Major Depression and/or Generalized Anxiety Disorder

The gut-brain axis is being heavily explored in current neuropsychiatric research. Evidence has shown considerable individual variability in bacterial content of the gut microbiota, which is hypothesized to influence brain function. Preclinical and clinical research examining this relationship suggests that fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) may aid in improving depression and anxiety symptoms by recolonizing the gastrointestinal tract with healthy bacteria. The objective of this study is to examine the effects of a microbial therapeutic composed of various strains of gut bacteria from a healthy donor as an alternative to FMT on mood and anxiety symptoms. Treatment-naïve adults diagnosed with major depressive disorder or generalized anxiety disorder will orally consume once daily an encapsulated microbial therapeutic, containing various strains of bacteria purified and lab-grown from a single healthy donor stool, for 8 weeks. TO BE CONT’D

Faculty Supervisor:

Roumen Milev

Student:

Arthi Chinna Meyyappan

Partner:

NuBiyota Canada

Discipline:

Psychology

Sector:

Manufacturing

University:

Queen's University