Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) as an Adjunctive Therapy for Depression—Case Report

Overview

Case Presentation

53 year old female had a diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD) and chronic constipation.

Medical History

  • She was diagnosed with MDD in 2006 and had been hospitalized twice in her life.
  • The patient had been in therapy as an inpatient for almost 3 months and treated for depression and constipation with persevering symptoms

Family History

  • Depression is common in her family, with two male second-degree relatives having suffered from it, one deceased by suicide.

Clinical Exam

  • Hamilton depression scale (HAMD), sum score was 21
  • Beck depression inventory(BID-II) score was 50
  • Gastrointestinal symptom-rating scale (GSRS), sum score of 79
  • Gastrointestinal problems like constipation, stomach pain, bloating, burping

Treatment

  • She was administered 30 oral frozen Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) capsules within 90 min under the observation of a physician.
  • Each active 30-capsule-dose consisted of 8.25 g donor stool, originating from a single donor, which was a different donor for each patient

Clinical Outcome

  • Symptoms of depression improved, indicated by a decreased HAMD score from 21 points to 9 points, 4 weeks post-intervention.
  • BID-II score was decreased from 50 to 31, 4 weeks intervention.
  • Gastrointestinal symptoms were also improved. GSRS score benefitted by 56 points after 4 weeks,
  • Other symptoms like stomach pains, sickness, bloating, burping, and constipation were improved over time

Adapted from:

  1. Doll JPK, Vázquez-Castellanos JF, Schaub AC, et al. Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) as an Adjunctive Therapy for Depression-Case Report. Front Psychiatry. 2022;13:815422. Published 2022 Feb 17. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2022.815422.