Open AccessThe Effects of Probiotics on Symptoms of Depression: Protocol for a Double-Blind Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial
Author(s) -
Caroline Wallace,
Jane A. Foster,
Cláudio N. Soares,
Roumen Milev
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
neuropsychobiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.71
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1423-0224
pISSN - 0302-282X
DOI - 10.1159/000496406
Subject(s) - randomized controlled trial , medicine , depression (economics) , placebo , clinical trial , bifidobacterium longum , psychiatry , bifidobacterium , alternative medicine , lactobacillus , pathology , genetics , biology , bacteria , economics , macroeconomics
A growing body of evidence has linked mental health outcomes to the gut microbiome. This has led to the investigation of the GI tract as a target for novel treatments and interventions for depression, including probiotic supplementation. Our recent pilot study provided the first evidence of probiotics improving symptoms of depression in treatment-naive depressed patients. To further support and expand upon this evidence, data from the pilot study were used to plan a 16-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to assess the effects of probiotics on depression. Here, we report the protocol for this trial.