Microbiome and the Gut-Brain Axis

People living with serious mental illnesses have far shorter life expectancy due to various attending medical disorders. Vast knowledge gaps exist regarding microbial taxa responsible for governing various the human states of health or morbidity or interactions with medications. Serious mental illnesses collectively comprise the single largest medical category of life-long disability worldwide. Mounting evidence in humans and in animal models of schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related mental illnesses point to gut microbiome-host interactions that may influence brain function circuits, mood, anxiety state, cognition, behavior, as well as generate medical comorbidities. This research study will collect stool samples and blood for in vitro analysis of microbiome and metabolomics.

Inclusion criteria

• People with an existing major mental illness, as already diagnosed currently or within the past year by their doctor prior to being consented,
• Meeting criteria of the fourth or fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV or DSM 5) or ICD-9 or ICD-10;
• Diagnosed with a cardiovascular disorder.

Exclusion criteria

• Probiotic use currently or within 2 months prior to study enrollment,
• Antibiotic treatment currently or within 2 months prior to study enrollment;
• Diagnosis of an intellectual disability, pervasive developmental disorder, and/or progressive dementias including Alzheimer's disease.