Testing gut bacteria treatment for depression that doesn't respond to medication

This trial is testing whether fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT)—capsules containing healthy bacteria from donor stool—can help people with major depression whose symptoms haven't improved well enough after starting an antidepressant called escitalopram oxalate. You would continue taking your antidepressant while also receiving either the FMT capsules or a placebo (dummy capsules) for 4 weeks, then be followed for 20 additional weeks to see if this combination works better than medication alone.

Many people with depression don't respond fully to standard antidepressant medications, leaving them still struggling with their symptoms. Recent research suggests that the bacteria in our gut may influence mood and mental health, so doctors are investigating whether restoring a healthy balance of gut bacteria might improve depression that hasn't responded well to medication alone.