Rapid Recovery: Gut Microbiome Correction for PTSD

This is a prospective interventional cohort clinical trial (RAPID RECOVERY) conducted at Uzhhorod National University, Uzhhorod City Multidisciplinary Hospital, and Danylo Halytskyi Lviv National Medical University. The study enrolls approximately 140 participants aged 18-60 years with cognitive impairment, anxiety-depressive disorders, or PTSD in the context of neurological conditions (traumatic brain injury, neuropathic pain, vertebrobasilar insufficiency, chronic cerebral ischemia, spinal injury, mine-explosion trauma, hypertension, degenerative spinal diseases).

Intervention: Participants receive individually selected pharmabiotics (next-generation biotics) provided by Ediens LLC. The selection is based on baseline gut microbiome profiling (NGS), immunological phenotyping (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD56/16, CD19, activation markers CD4/25/127, apoptosis receptors PD1R/PD1L on CD8, FASR/FASL on CD56, regulatory molecules CD38, TIM3), serum cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10), immunoglobulins (IgA, IgM, IgG, IgE), and routine blood biochemistry (glucose, bilirubin, ALT, AST, creatinine, urea).

Procedures: Baseline assessment includes medical history, physical examination, cognitive function (MoCA), anxiety and depression (HADS), PTSD symptom severity (PCL-5 for military and civilian versions). Biological samples (blood, stool, saliva) are collected at baseline and after the pharmabiotic course. Stool is analyzed by next-generation sequencing (NGS) of 16S rRNA or metagenomics. Saliva is tested for secretory IgA.

Follow-up: After completing the pharmabiotic course, all clinical, biochemical, immunological, and microbiome assessments are repeated. Changes in cognitive, anxiety-depressive, and PTSD symptoms are evaluated using the same scales. Adverse events are documented and reported.

Data analysis: Statistical analysis includes descriptive and inferential statistics. Machine learning and data science methods will be applied to develop predictive models for PTSD risk and recovery trajectories, integrating microbiome, immunological, and clinical data.

Inclusion criteria

• Age 18 to 60 years

• Male or female sex
• Presence of cognitive impairment, anxiety/depressive disorders, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on the background of one or more of the following neurological conditions:
• Mild to moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Neuropathic pain
• Vertebrobasilar syndrome
• Chronic cerebral ischemia
• Back pain
• Blast injuries
• Arterial hypertension
• Degenerative-dystrophic spinal diseases
• Spinal cord injury

Exclusion criteria

Pregnancy or history of pregnancy within the last 12 months

• Multiple organ failure
• Apallic state
• Incurable patients
• Prolonged coma
• Severe traumatic brain injury
• Psychiatric disorders (as a separate diagnosis)
• Alcohol abuse
• Current antibiotic therapy