Gut bacterial signal AI-2 and depression
Autoinducer-2 and depression
This project tests whether a gut-bacterial signal called AI-2 changes stress and depression-related symptoms and could help people with stress-related mood disorders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Miami School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Coral Gables, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11239013 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will study whether stress changes how much AI-2 gut bacteria produce and whether those changes affect stress-related behavior. They will measure host stress signals (like corticosterone and catecholamines) and bacterial AI-2 levels, identify bacterial species and metabolites that change with stress or AI-2, and examine brain responses linked to behavior. The team will use engineered E. coli that either overproduce AI-2 or remove it from the gut to see how altering AI-2 affects behavior. Findings will guide whether microbiome-targeted approaches could be developed to help mood and stress problems.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with stress-related mood disorders such as depression or chronic stress symptoms would be the most relevant group.
Not a fit: People whose conditions are unrelated to stress biology or the gut microbiome, or those needing immediate psychiatric emergency care, may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new microbiome-based treatments (for example, targeted probiotics or drugs) to reduce stress-related depression.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal studies show gut microbes can influence mood and stress, but directly targeting AI-2 signaling is a newer, mostly preclinical approach with limited human evidence.
Where this research is happening
Coral Gables, United States
- University of Miami School of Medicine — Coral Gables, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Beurel, Eleonore — University of Miami School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Beurel, Eleonore
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.