Dr. Rick Quax from Computational Science Lab (CSL) of the Informatics Institute, Dr. Aniko Korosi (Center for Neuroscience, Brain Plasticity Group) and Prof. Stanley Brul (Molecular Biology & Microbial Food Safety) from the Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences at the University of Amsterdam are among the applicants. The ZonMW Open Competition is designed for both fundamental and applied research, encouraging collaboration between different scientific disciplines and sectors. Together with Erasmus MC Rotterdam and Amsterdam UMC, they will work interdisciplinary on this project the coming years.

This project aims to uncover the role of the gut microbiome in depression and develop new treatments.

Depressive disorders remain one of the leading causes of disability, premature mortality, and economic disparity worldwide. Current treatment options, while available, often prove to be suboptimal, highlighting an urgent need for more effective interventions. A promising new development is emerging in the form of the gut microbiome—the complex community of microbes living in the human digestive system.

Gut microbiota and depression

Research has already shown a strong and replicable link between gut microbiota and depression, suggesting that this microbial community could play a significant role in the onset and progression of the condition. Building on this promising connection, a new project is set to explore novel intervention strategies that could potentially 'beat' depression by targeting gut microbiota and its microbial products.

The primary aim

The primary aim of this innovative project is to identify bacterial targets that could be used to diagnose, recover from, or prevent depression. This work is critical as it marks the first step towards developing new applications for treating the disorder. One of the major challenges in this field is the current reliance on cross-sectional, correlational studies, often conducted with small or underpowered sample sizes. The new project seeks to move beyond these limitations by conducting longitudinal studies with multiple cohorts, examining the temporal and causal relationships between depression and the microbiome. It will also take into account differences in ethnicity and sex to ensure more inclusive and accurate results.

A unique aspect of this project is its focus on the interactions between microbial groups and their products, rather than simply looking at isolated associations. This approach promises to provide deeper insights into the complex mechanisms linking gut health and mental health. Additionally, the research will validate promising findings through preclinical in vitro and in vivo models, moving closer to real-world applications.

Expected outcome

The expected outcome of the project is the identification of potential prebiotics and probiotics that could be tested clinically as new treatments for depression. The findings could have significant benefits for both academic researchers and industrial partners in the food and pharmaceutical sectors, who are keen to develop new, more effective treatments for depression in an area where current options are severely lacking.

Applicants and institutions

dr. Robert Kraaij, Erasmus MC, Internal Medicine, Rotterdam (main applicant),
dr. Anja Lok, dept. Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC,
dr. Rick Quax, Computational Science Lab, University of Amsterdam,
prof. dr Stanley Brul, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam,
dr. Aniko Korosi, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences University of Amsterdam.