Analysis of microbiota in first episode psychosis identifies preliminary associations with symptom severity and treatment response

Emanuel Schwarz, Johanna Maukonen, Tiina Hyytiäinen, Tuula Kieseppä, Matej Orešič, Sarven Sabunciyan, Outi Mantere, Maria Saarela, Robert Yolken, Jaana Suvisaari

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

120 Scopus citations

Abstract

The effects of gut microbiota on the central nervous system, along its possible role in mental disorders, have received increasing attention. Here we investigated differences in fecal microbiota between 28 patients with first-episode psychosis (FEP) and 16 healthy matched controls and explored whether such differences were associated with response after up to 12 months of treatment. Numbers of Lactobacillus group bacteria were elevated in FEP-patients and significantly correlated with severity along different symptom domains. A subgroup of FEP patients with the strongest microbiota differences also showed poorer response after up to 12 months of treatment. The present findings support the involvement of microbiota alterations in psychotic illness and may provide the basis for exploring the benefit of their modulation on treatment response and remission.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)398-403
Number of pages6
JournalSchizophrenia Research
Volume192
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2018

Keywords

  • Microbiome
  • Psychosis
  • Response
  • Schizophrenia

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Biological Psychiatry

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