Just A Gut Feeling: Faecal Microbiota Transplant For Treatment Of Depression

The microbiota-gut-brain-axis allows bidirectional crosstalk between the brain and the gut microbiota (GM) and is believed to play a central role in the regulation of mood, cognition, behaviour, as well as metabolism, health, biological processes and homeostasis. Manipulation of the GM through faecal microbiota transplant (FMT) is a new, exciting and promising treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD). Studies have demonstrated significant gut dysbiosis in depressed patients compared to healthy cohorts, with an overgrowth of pro-inflammatory microbiota, a reduction in anti-inflammatory species and reduced overall stability and taxonomic richness. FMT allows healthy microbiota to be introduced into the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and this ultimately leads to a restoration of eubiosis.

This presentation provides an overview of the current research into the GM and the FMT as a therapy for depression. We first summarise the current data on the GM and depression. We then discuss the communication through the microbiota-gut-brain-axis and how antidepressant treatment and the GM interact through this. We then review the composition of the dysbiosis found in depressed patients, focusing on how this can be treated by FMT and the future directions in the treatment of depression.