Depression study probes link between antidepressants, brain steroids, and gut bugs

NCT ID NCT00285935

Completed Knowledge-focused Sponsor: University of California, San Francisco Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This completed study from the University of California, San Francisco enrolled 228 adults with major depression and healthy volunteers. Researchers measured blood levels of natural steroids, genetic markers, and gut bacteria before and after 8 weeks of standard SSRI treatment. The goal was to understand how these factors relate to mood and memory, and how antidepressants might work.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: SSRI antidepressants (fluoxetine, sertraline, citalopram, escitalopram)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could help explain how antidepressants work and point to new ways to predict or personalize depression treatment.
What could go wrong: This is an observational study, not a treatment trial. It looks at biological markers, so it won't directly test a new therapy. Results may not lead to immediate changes in care.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Depression major depressive disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER

Contacts and locations

Locations

University of California San Francisco

San Francisco, California, 94143-0984, United States

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