Understanding how gut bacteria affect antidepressant responses in pregnant women
Official title: Uncovering Microbial Modifiers of Antidepressant Responses during Pregnancy
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11125791 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the bacteria in the gut of pregnant women might affect how well antidepressants work for them, with the goal of finding safer and more effective treatments for depression during pregnancy that also consider the health of the baby.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $503,272 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD111079-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11125791 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women experiencing antenatal depression who are considering or currently using SSRIs.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or those who do not have a diagnosis of antenatal depression may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of the gut microbiome in influencing how pregnant women respond to antidepressants, specifically selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It aims to identify factors that affect the efficacy of these medications and their potential impact on fetal development. By examining the relationship between gut bacteria and SSRIs, the study seeks to uncover safer and more effective treatment options for antenatal depression. The research will involve analyzing changes in the gut microbiome and their effects on both maternal and fetal health during pregnancy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved antidepressant treatments for pregnant women, minimizing risks to both mothers and their developing babies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the gut-brain connection, suggesting that this approach could yield significant insights into antidepressant efficacy during pregnancy.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hsiao, Elaine — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Hsiao, Elaine
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
How air pollution during pregnancy affects fetal growth over time
This study looks at how air pollution affects the growth of babies in the womb during pregnancy, using ultrasound images to track changes over time, and it aims to help expectant parents understand when their babies might be most at risk from pollution.
-
Postoperative Pain Guidelines for Pregnancy: Safer, Patient-Centered Opioid Use
We’re creating patient-friendly guidelines to help doctors manage pain after delivery and surgery in pregnant people, aiming to reduce opioid overuse and improve safety.
-
HPV and pregnancy risk: a big study following 1,280 pregnancies
A large pregnancy study at UTMB looks at whether human papillomavirus (HPV) during pregnancy is linked to problems like preterm birth.
-
Understanding how where you live and personal factors during pregnancy affect a child’s risk for obesity and metabolic problems
This project looks at how neighborhood conditions and individual factors during pregnancy may influence a child’s risk of obesity and metabolic health as they grow.
-
Blocking cancer-causing cMYC tricks after pregnancy changes in the breast
Researchers are testing how pregnancy and aging reshape the breast before cancer risk, using patient-reinformed models to see if it changes how dangerous cMYC signals behave.
-
SSRI use during pregnancy: effects on placental blood flow and inflammation
This grant studies how antidepressants (SSRIs) used during pregnancy might affect the placenta and inflammation, and whether a 5-HT2 receptor blocker could mitigate any negative effects.
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.