Fecal transplant treatment for auto-brewery (gut fermentation) syndrome
Fecal microbiota transplantation for auto-brewery syndrome
['FUNDING_R21'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · NIH-11197592
This project gives capsule fecal microbiota transplants to adults with auto-brewery syndrome to try to stop their gut from producing alcohol and causing unexplained intoxication.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R21'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (LA JOLLA, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11197592 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You will provide stool samples so researchers can compare your gut bacteria to household partners because lab tests showed patient samples made more ethanol and antibiotics could stop that production. If eligible, you may receive oral capsules of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) intended to replace the ethanol-producing microbes in your gut. The team will track your symptoms, breath or blood alcohol levels, and stool over time and monitor for side effects. The goal is to see whether FMT can reduce or stop inebriation episodes and be safe and tolerable.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults aged 21 and older with suspected or diagnosed auto-brewery syndrome who have recurrent unexplained intoxication episodes and can provide stool samples and attend follow-up visits.
Not a fit: People whose symptoms are due to ongoing drinking rather than gut fermentation, pregnant women, or those with severe immune compromise may not be eligible or likely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, FMT could reduce or stop ABS flares and lessen the social, legal, and safety consequences of unexplained intoxication.
How similar studies have performed: FMT is an established cure for C. difficile and the investigators report one ABS patient who achieved remission after capsule FMT, but use of FMT for ABS is experimental with very limited published data.
Where this research is happening
LA JOLLA, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO — LA JOLLA, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: SCHNABL, BERND G. — UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
- Study coordinator: SCHNABL, BERND G.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.