Depression study probes link between antidepressants, brain steroids, and gut bugs
NCT ID NCT00285935
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.
Disclaimer
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This is a summary of
the original study
.
Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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University of California San Francisco
San Francisco, California, 94143-0984, United States