Changing Lives Through Groundbreaking Science
Using robust scientific and lay review, in the 2023 cycle, the GI Research Foundation awarded $550,000 to six investigators at the University of Chicago for novel research projects.
2023 Competitive Grant Cycle Awards
Using robust scientific and lay review, in the 2023 cycle, the GI Research Foundation awarded $550,000 to six investigators at the University of Chicago for novel research projects.
Understanding the Role of Gut Inflammation as a Cause of Anxiety and Depression in IBD
David T. Rubin, MD and Ashley Sidebottom, PhD
THE PROBLEM
Patients with IBD have a well-recognized increased risk of anxiety and depression. Research suggests that mental health challenges in patients with IBD may be biologic in nature. We now know that bowel inflammation affects the important blood-brain barrier, separating circulating chemicals and proteins in the blood from the central nervous system (CNS). More study is needed to more fully understand how inflammation is associated with a leaky blood-brain barrier and changes in the gut microbiome that occur with inflammation.
THE HYPOTHESIS
- Changes in the gut microbiome in the setting of bowel inflammation may contribute to substantial alterations in circulating neurotransmitters which directly affect the CNS and impact mood.
- Control of inflammation will improve metabolite and coexisting levels of anxiety and depression.
- Conversely, it is possible that treatment of mental health disorders with some selective serotonin-type drugs may have an impact on bowel inflammation.
THE RESEARCH PLAN
Using samples of blood, urine, tissue, and stool from IBD patients, metabolite concentrations will be studied. Metabolites are small molecules that are the product of metabolism. They serve many functions including signaling the behavior of other molecules. This project will analyze the metabolites from the samples and the implementation of a standard mental health questionnaire to evaluate the relationship between IBD and coexisting mental health disorders.
THE GOALS
- Determine prevalence of anxiety and depression in the University of Chicago Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis patient population.
- Assess patient inflammation relative to mental health status.
- Improve diagnosis and treatment of co-existing IBD and mental health issues.
THE PROGRESS
- 151 patients recruited to receive the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder questionnaire (GAD-7) for depression and anxiety.
- Dried blood spot card (BSC) collection, storage, and analysis.
- Analysis of several batches of BSC and final stages of scoring patient inflammation status.
- Preliminary analyses indicate significant association of blood signals in patients scoring higher on the PHQ-9.
“Using a combination of scientific and lay review, the GI Research Foundation has awarded $550,000 in grants. We are so proud and privileged to be in partnership with the University of Chicago Medicine’s Digestive Diseases Center. Our competitive grant program supports novel research projects led by its investigators. This partnership provides us with extraordinary opportunities to be a first-in funder of groundbreaking ideas and has resulted in millions in funding from the National Institutes of Health. We are excited about the promise of these funded projects.”
