An observational study in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD, Anxiety Disorder, Generalized and Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, sponsored by Neurobiologix. Not yet recruiting. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 44 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-06-10.
Sponsored by Neurobiologix · Observational
This observational pilot study investigates whether a broad panel of genetic variants relevant to the serotonin pathway (including serotonergic system, methylation cycle, intestinal barrier integrity, and inflammatory response genes) are associated with distinct gut microbiome compositional and functional signatures in adults aged 18-44 years with self-reported mental health conditions (Major Depressive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, PTSD, or Panic Disorder).
This is a decentralized, participant-funded (Citizen Science) study. Eligible participants provide at-home saliva (buccal swab) and stool samples. Genomic analysis is performed using the NeuroBiologix GenePro+ SNP Panel (Illumina Infinium Global Screening Array-24, \~654,000 SNPs) via Gene By Gene, a CLIA/CAP-accredited laboratory. Gut microbiome analysis is performed by Tiny Health using deep whole-genome shotgun metagenomics (≥20 million reads) on a NextGen Illumina Platform.
The study is non-interventional and hypothesis-generating, aiming to identify potential genotype-microbiome associations and estimate effect sizes to inform a future interventional trial. N=30 participants. Study Start: July 2026.
Background: The gut-brain-microbiota axis (GBA) represents a complex, bidirectional communication system. Microbial tryptophan metabolism is a key mechanism within this axis - approximately 95% of the body's serotonin is synthesized peripherally in the gut. Host genetic variants can influence both serotonin biology and gut microbiome composition.
Objective: To explore correlations between multi-system genetic variants (TPH2, SLC6A4, MTHFR, FUT2, MUC1, IL-6, and others) and gut microbiome compositional and functional profiles (particularly tryptophan metabolism pathways) in adults with self-reported mental health conditions.
Design: Decentralized observational pilot study. Participants complete digital questionnaires and provide at-home biospecimen collections (saliva and stool) using prepaid medical-grade kits.
Genomic Methodology: Saliva samples undergo DNA extraction and array-based genotyping (Illumina GSA-24 v3.0) at Gene By Gene (CLIA No. 45D1102202, CAP-accredited). Data processed via OmicsEdge bioinformatics platform.
Metagenomic Methodology: Stool samples analyzed by Tiny Health using whole-genome shotgun metagenomics. Human reads are depleted against GRCh38. Taxonomic profiling via GTDB/GenBank database (111,000+ genomes). Functional annotation via KEGG Orthology and CAZy.
Statistical Analysis: Descriptive statistics; alpha diversity (Shannon index); beta diversity (Bray-Curtis dissimilarity); PERMANOVA; exploratory non-parametric comparisons between genotype-defined groups. Effect sizes calculated for future study design.
IRB: Approved by Sterling Institutional Review Board (Atlanta, GA), IRB ID 16153.
3,041 studies on the registry are indexed under Depressive Disorder, Major; 588 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 30 is below the median of 131 across 400 observational studies indexed under Depressive Disorder, Major.
Browse Depressive Disorder, Major studies →This is the only study on the registry with Neurobiologix as lead sponsor.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
US adults aged 18-44 years with self-reported MDD, GAD, PTSD, or Panic Disorder. Recruited via Neurobiologix and Tiny Health digital platforms and social media. Decentralized, direct-to-participant model.
Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Exclusion Criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Anti-inflammatory medicines such as prednisone, prednisolone and dexamethasone — not the anabolic steroids used for muscle.
Studies differ in what they allow: check which steroid medicines, routes (tablets, injections, creams, inhalers, eye drops) and doses this study accepts.
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Corticosteroids (steroids)
Anti-inflammatory medicines such as prednisone, prednisolone and dexamethasone — not the anabolic steroids used for muscle.
Studies differ in what they allow: check which steroid medicines, routes (tablets, injections, creams, inhalers, eye drops) and doses this study accepts.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
US adults aged 18-44 years with self-reported MDD, GAD, PTSD, or Panic Disorder who are on stable psychotropic medication (or unmedicated). Participants provide at-home saliva and stool samples for genomic SNP analysis (NeuroBiologix GenePro+ SNP Panel) and gut microbiome shotgun metagenomics sequencing (Tiny Health platform).
Diagnostic Test: SNP Genotyping and Gut Metagenomics
Genomic analysis using NeuroBiologix GenePro+ SNP Panel: Illumina Infinium Global Screening Array-24 v3.0 (\~654,000 SNPs), genotyped at Gene By Gene (CLIA No. 45D1102202, CAP-accredited). Data processed via OmicsEdge bioinformatics platform analyzing serotonergic, methylation, intestinal barrier, and inflammatory pathway variants. Gut microbiome analysis using Tiny Health deep whole-genome shotgun metagenomics (NextGen Illumina Platform, ≥20 million reads), with taxonomic profiling (GTDB/GenBank) and functional annotation (KEGG Orthology, CAZy).
Gut Microbiome Compositional and Functional Profile
Shotgun metagenomic sequencing of stool samples to assess gut microbial taxonomic composition (alpha and beta diversity) and functional potential, specifically tryptophan metabolism pathways (KEGG Orthology), and their association with host genetic variants in the serotonin pathway.
Time frame: At study completion (approximately 8-12 weeks after enrollment)
No study locations are listed for this record.
Plan to share: No — Individual participant data will not be shared due to the sensitive nature of genomic and mental health data. De-identified aggregate data and findings will be reported in peer-reviewed publications.
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Jun 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
Get an email when the registry record changes — status, dates, results — or when someone posts here.
Sign in to followQuestions and observations about this study, from anyone following it. Not medical advice, and not a channel to the study team — their contact details are on the registry record.
Sign in to join the discussion. Reading takes no account; posting does. You choose a display name, and a pseudonym is the default.
Nothing here yet. If you are running this trial, taking part in it, or weighing whether to, this is the place to say so.