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Assessment of the Efficacy and Safety of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) in Patients With Major Depressive Disorder
This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) who exhibit suboptimal early response to antidepressant treatment. Additionally, it sought to investigate the impact of FMT on biological indicators, including intestinal microbiota and metabolites, in individuals with MDD
ClinicalTrials.gov IDNCT06692361
PhaseNA
Enrollment214
SponsorGang Wang
Age18 Years
SexALL
Conditions studied
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Depression - Major Depressive Disorder
About this study
This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) who exhibit suboptimal early response to antidepressant treatment. Additionally, it sought to investigate the impact of FMT on biological indicators, including intestinal microbiota and metabolites, in individuals with MDD
Interventions
- Biological: FMT capsule — The experimental group will maintain escitalopram treatment and take 1.0 g of FMT capsules orally with breakfast every day for 4 weeks.
- Drug: Escitalopram (Lexapro) — Both the experimental group and the placebo group were treated with the maximum tolerated dose of escitalopram.
- Biological: Corn Starch capsules — The placebo group will maintain escitalopram treatment and take corn starch capsules 1.0 g orally with breakfast every day for 4 weeks.
Primary outcomes
- The differences in efficacy(HAMD-17 score reduction rate ≥50%) between the two groups (Baseline, Week 4, Week 8)
Eligibility information
Inclusion Criteria (All 8 criterion are met):
* Outpatient or inpatient, aged 18 to 65 years (inclusive), regardless of gender;
* At the start of the screening phase, participants must meet the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-fifth edition (DSM-5) diagnostic criteria for recurrent major depressive disorder (MDD) or single-episode MDD;
* At the start of the screening phase, participants' score on the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) must be ≥ 17;
* At the start of the screening phase, participants have not been treated with medication for their current depressive episode;
* At the start of the screening phase, participants are intended to be treated with a single antidepressant medication, Escitalopram;
* The HAMD-17 score after two weeks of treatment with the maximum tolerated dose of escitalopram was reduced by less than 20% compared with the HAMD-17 score at screening;
* Participants must have an education level above primary school and be able to understand the content of the scale;
* Participants sign the informed consent form.
Exclusion Criteria (Exclude if 1 criterion is met):
* According to DSM-5 criteria, currently or previously diagnosed as bipolar disorder, neurodevelopmental disorder, neurocognitive disorder, schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders, substance-related and addiction disorders;
* Accompanied by significant psychotic symptoms (delusions, hallucinations, etc.);
* The patient currently has severe or unstable central nervous system, cardiovascular, respiratory, liver, kidney, endocrine, blood system or other system diseases, and the researcher believes that the patient is not suitable for inclusion in this study;
* The patient currently has a serious suicide risk, and the HAMD-17 suicide risk item is ≥3 points;
* Suffering from inflammation-related diseases;
* Suffering from gastrointestinal infections, tumors and other structural abnormalities of the digestive system, including but not limited to irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, etc.;
* Previous history of gastrointestinal surgery;
* Continuous use of antibiotics, probiotics, prebiotics or traditional Chinese medicine products for medical purposes for more than 2 weeks within 3 months before enrollment in the study;
* Those who are allergic to capsule ingredients and contents;
* Pregnant or lactating patients;
* Patients who are unable (such as difficulty swallowing) or unwilling to swallow capsules;
* Patients who received MECT treatment in the past 6 months.
Study locations
- Wuhu Fourth People's Hospital, Wuhu, Anhui 241002 China
- Beijing Anding Hospital, Beijing, Beijing Municipality 100088 China
- Nangfang Hospital Affiliated of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510450 China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000 China
- Shandong Daizhuang Hospital, Jining, Shandong 272000 China
- West China Hospital Affiliated of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041 China
- Tianjin Anding Hospital, Tianjin, Tianjin Municipality 300202 China
- The Second People's Hospital of Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Dali, Yunnan 671003 China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310000 China
Before you participate: Varda Clinical is an independent discovery tool, not the study sponsor or a medical provider. Eligibility can only be determined by the official study team. Discuss potential risks and benefits with a qualified healthcare professional.
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov. Record last refreshed by Varda Clinical: 2026-09-27.