INFORM are delighted to announce the funding award for a BIV Project “The effect of probiotics on the intestinal microbiome in child and adolescent depression”.
Project Team:
Dr Dennis Golm – University of Southampton (PI)
Dr Caroline Childs – University of Southampton
Mr Richard Day – ADM Protexin Ltd
This project targets the urgent and growing problem of adolescent depression, a condition for which existing treatments—psychotherapy and medication—are often insufficient or only minimally effective. Given the rising global prevalence and limited treatment response, there is a critical need for new, accessible, and biologically informed approaches that can support mental health in young people.
Project Aims:
This project aims to:
-
Test whether probiotic supplementation can reduce depressive symptoms in adolescents diagnosed with major depressive disorder.
-
Examine changes in gut microbiome composition and explore how probiotics may influence mental health via the gut–brain–immune axis.
-
Determine whether effects differ between adolescents receiving no active treatment and those currently on antidepressant medication.
-
Use a fully online/postal, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover design to maximise participation and feasibility.
This research represents the first clinical test of probiotics as a potential adjunctive approach for adolescent depression.
Potential Impact:
This project could deliver significant scientific, clinical, and commercial benefits by providing the first evidence of probiotic effects in adolescent depression and deepening understanding of gut–brain mechanisms. It may guide the development of new adjunctive treatments, strengthen academic–industry innovation, and lay a strong foundation for larger clinical trials and future funding.
The project will commence in January 2026.
 |
 |