Mapping the Impact of Gut Microbiota on Brain and Behavior Through the Lens of GABA
Recruiting now · Not applicable · Has a placebo group
Conditions studied: Healthy
In brief
Gut microbiota produce different metabolites within the human body, which include neurotransmitters. Animal studies have demonstrated a critical role for the gut microbiota in various aspects of brain and behavioural function, and a smaller number of studies in humans have shown differences of gut microbiota composition in psychiatric conditions. However, almost nothing is known about the impact of neurotransmitters produced by the gut microbiota on human brain and behaviour. The way in which differences in brain, behaviour and personality traits are associated with the gut microbiota, and how they are influenced by a probiotic will be explored, with a special focus on GABA (Gamma Amino Butyric Acid). Abnormalities of microbiota composition have been identified in metabolic disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease and obesity, and psychiatric conditions, such as depression and anxiety. The aim of this intervention trial will be to answer the following fundamental questions: 1. Does the population of gut bacteria capable of producing GABA modulate brain-based measures of GABA? 2. Does the population of gut bacteria capable of producing GABA influence performance in behavioural tasks known to depend on GABA-ergic function? The impact of a GABA producing probiotic on the measures of GABA in the brain and serum, relevant metabolites in blood, faecal and urine samples and performance in GABA dependent behavioural tasks will be investigated in this trial.
Key facts
- Study ID
- NCT05698862
- Run by
- University of Reading
- People needed
- 60
- Starts
- 2022-05-21
- Expected to finish
- 2026-12-31
- Last updated by the study team
- 2023-01-26
Who can join
Age: 18 and older, up to 50. Sex: male. Healthy volunteers: accepted.
You may qualify if…
- Male
- Right-handed
- Caucasian/White
- Between 18 and 50 years of age
- Grew up in the UK or other European country
- Body Mass Index 18.5 to 30.
You may not qualify if…
- Use of antibiotics within the last 3 months
- Use of protonic pump inhibitors (PPIs) within the last 3 months
- Current or history of regular smoking within the last 6 months
- Regular consumption of >14 units of alcohol per week
- Current use of psychotropic drugs for medicinal or recreational purposes
- Current use of probiotic/prebiotic supplements
- Current diagnosis of neurological, developmental or psychiatric condition
- Current diagnosis of gut microbiota related conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome
Where it is running
- University of Reading — Reading, United Kingdom (enrolling)
Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov
Trial information comes from ClinicalTrials.gov and is refreshed daily. TrialsForMe does not provide medical care and does not run the studies it lists.