World-first Study: Faecal Microbial Transplant

Our partners at the Food & Mood Centre have published the results from their world-first faecal microbial transplant (FMT) Moving Moods study which uncovers how human microbiota transfer therapy could work in the real world as a future treatment for depression.

The study marks the first published controlled human evidence to support the acceptability, feasibility and safety of faecal transplants for the treatment of a mental disorder

The evidence linking mental health with the microbiota that live symbiotically in our gut (“the gut-brain-microbiome axis”) is very compelling. Researchers at the Food & Mood Centre wanted to explore the question of whether interventions that modify the microbiota might be used to treat mental disorders.

“Faecal transplants are potentially the best way to modify intestinal microbiota because they carry a complete ecosystem of potentially beneficial microbes, rather than just a handful like probiotics. You might think of it as a complete probiotic. These findings are an important leap forward in an under-researched area.”

Dr Jess Green, Lead Researcher and PhD Candidate, Food & Mood Centre

The study showed the appeal and viability of the treatment for those with moderate to severe depression. All participants who completed the feedback survey reported that the enema delivery was tolerable and that they would have the treatment again.

The study also found significant improvements in gastrointestinal symptoms and near-significant improvements in quality of life in participants who received active FMT compared to the placebo.

The success of this study paves the way for further research in this area.

Find out more about the Moving Moods study here. 

Find out more about the Food & Mood Centre here.