Project Details
Projekt
The link between GUT microbiota and MOOD disorders under scrutinY from humans to mice: spotlight on depression.
Applicants
Gürsel Caliskan, Ph.D.; Katarzyna Winek, Ph.D.
Subject Area
Biological Psychiatry
Gastroenterology
Gastroenterology
Term
since 2025
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 561967932
Clinical depression is a severe mental health condition that takes a heavy toll on our society and economy. It is closely linked to changes in the gut microbiome - the community of microorganisms in our intestines. Recent research shows that transferring gut bacteria from people with depression to rodents can cause similar symptoms, suggesting new treatment possibilities. Additionally, depression often coexists with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), underscoring the importance of understanding the gut-brain connection for overall health. This project aims to use human microbiome data to identify specific gut bacteria associated with depression, with and without IBD, and investigate their effects on the brain and body. Our study has several key objectives: identifying gut bacteria linked to anxiety and depression symptoms in humans, examining changes in gut bacteria and immune responses in stress-susceptible and resilient mice, exploring whether specific gut bacteria can alleviate depression symptoms, and investigating the role of the vagus nerve—a crucial communication pathway between the gut and brain—in depression. By integrating findings from human data and animal models, we aim to uncover how gut bacteria influence depression differently in males and females, offering the potential for new treatment strategies. This international collaboration between researchers in Germany, Switzerland, and Israel aims to advance our understanding of the gut-brain connection and pave the way for new interventions to improve mental health treatment and outcomes.
DFG Programme
Research Grants
International Connection
Israel, Switzerland
Cooperation Partners
Eran Blacher, Ph.D.; Professor Dr. Bahtiyar Yilmaz
