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The pharmaco-microbiomics of depression

Objective

This interdisciplinary project aims to improve response to depression treatment using the gut microbiota. About one third of patients with depression do not respond to treatment with Selective-Serotonin-Reuptake-Inhibitors (SSRIs). Moreover, side effects such as gastrointestinal complaints are common.

The commensal gut microbiota, residing in the human intestinal tract in trillions, likely contribute to variation in treatment efficacy. This makes them a promising candidate to improve treatment response. The highly inter-individual variable gut bacteria collectively represent an enormous amount of genes, enzymes and transporters (outnumbering human genes by 10-100 times). Hereby, the gut microbiota are involved in processing of orally ingested compounds, and, through the communication highway called the gut-brain-axis, interact with the central nervous system. Anti-depressant medication such as SSRIs reduce gut microbial diversity and change community dynamics. For example, in vitro studies have shown unintentional effects of SSRIs in the gut on a bacterium with a human-analogous serotonin transporter. This negatively affects serotonin metabolism in the gut, potentially contributing to side effects and reduced treatment response. Other similar mechanisms may occur, yet very limited experimental experimental data exist mapping which and how gut microbiota are impacted by SSRIs. Moreover, hardly any studies link SSRI medication induced gut microbial effects to treatment response.

Using clinical cohorts, I will dissociate gut microbial profiles of patients responding versus not responding to their SSRI medication. In a culturing experiment, fecal material of such responders and non-responders will be characterized in terms of growth profile after SSRI exposure, transcriptomic and metabolomics. Using these results, a probiotics product will be developed. This project contains clinical, microbial and applied work with great societal and economic potential.

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Keywords

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01

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Coordinator

JOHANN WOLFGANG GOETHE-UNIVERSITAET FRANKFURT AM MAIN
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 237 109,20
Address
THEODOR W ADORNO PLATZ 1
60323 FRANKFURT AM MAIN
Germany

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Region
Hessen Darmstadt Frankfurt am Main, Kreisfreie Stadt
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

No data

Partners (2)

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