Gut-Brain-Microbiome interaction: modulation of the Gut Microbiome by Faecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) in patients of Functional Bowel Disorder with psychiatric comorbidity

Some evidence exists that Faecal Microbiota transplantation (FMT) can improve symptoms in patients with Functional Bowel Disorder (FBD) and may have some beneficial effects in patients with depression and anxiety. To the best of our knowledge, no study has investigated the effects of FMT on both enteric and psychiatric symptoms in patients with FBD and psychiatric comorbidity.

Objectives- 1. To compare the pattern of gut microbiota between FBD patients with psychiatric illness and that of healthy controls. 2. To develop a Faecal Microbiota Storage and Transplantation facility and conduct transplantation from healthy controls to FBD patients with psychiatric illness. 3. To assess whether FMT from healthy donors can alleviate the enteric and psychiatric symptoms of FBD patients with psychiatric illness. 4. To determine the temporal and constitutional dynamics of the transplanted microbiota in the recipient’s gut under various conditions.

Methodology- 1. We shall utilise state-of-the-art shotgun sequencing-based faecal metagenomics for assessing gut microbiota of the cases, controls and healthy donors at the baseline. 2. We shall conduct a pilot randomised controlled trial for our objectives 2 and 3 and follow up with our participants for one year.

Expected Outcomes among patients of FBD with psychiatric comorbidity after FMT- 1. Significant and sustained improvement of symptoms related to FBD and psychiatric conditions. 2. Significant and sustained modulation of Gut Microbiome composition. 3. The study will contribute to the knowledge base on the gut-brain-microbiome axis and the potential therapeutic use of FMT in patients with FBD and psychiatric comorbidity.