How gut bacteria affect memory and stress from early life
Official title: Gut Microbiome Contributions to Human Episodic Memory and the Role of Early Life Stress
Funded at Harvard University · NIH-10726345 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the bacteria in our gut might affect our memory, especially for people who have experienced stress early in life, and it aims to find ways to improve memory and mood by understanding these connections better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $464,750 |
| NIH project number | 1R21MH134157-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10726345 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with depressive symptoms and those interested in understanding the impact of gut health on memory.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without any memory issues or depressive symptoms may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the connection between gut microbiota and episodic memory, particularly focusing on how early life stress influences this relationship. By analyzing the gut bacteria of both healthy individuals and those experiencing depressive symptoms, the study aims to identify specific microbiota profiles that correlate with memory function. The approach involves a large sample size to ensure robust findings, moving beyond previous studies that often relied on small groups and less relevant probiotic interventions. Ultimately, the goal is to develop targeted microbiome interventions that could enhance memory and emotional well-being.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that improve memory and reduce depressive symptoms by targeting gut microbiota.
How similar studies have gone: While there is emerging evidence from animal studies supporting the brain-gut axis, this research aims to explore a relatively novel approach in humans, making it a potentially groundbreaking investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard University
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Phelps, Elizabeth Anya — Harvard University
- Study coordinator: Phelps, Elizabeth Anya
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Multi-agent AI to annotate enzymes in the human gut microbiome
A team at a major university will build an AI system that automatically curates and labels the functions of enzymes in the human gut microbiome to speed up understanding their health effects.
-
Mapping how gut bacteria transform drugs
Scientists will study how the gut microbiome changes thousands of drugs into new forms, which could affect how well a medicine works or whether it causes side effects.
-
Aflatoxin exposure and child growth in Guatemala
A study in rural Guatemala will track how exposure to aflatoxin relates to growth and gut health in young children.
-
Gut bacteria that can make cancer immunotherapy less effective
This project will see if reducing chronic inflammation driven by certain gut bacteria can help immunotherapy work better for people whose cancers have stopped responding.
-
How gut bacteria affect how cancer drugs work
This project looks at how the bacteria in your gut might change how well and with what side effects fluoropyrimidine cancer drugs like 5-FU work in people.
-
Gut bacteria and cancer drugs: how your gut may change chemotherapy effectiveness
This project studies how the gut microbiome might affect how well certain chemotherapy drugs work and their side effects in people with cancer.
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.