Abstract summary 

The gut-brain-axis has a role in mental health disorders. In people with generalized anxiety disorder, GAD, normal flora Escherichia-Shigella, are significantly elevated. Fecal microbiota transplant, FMT, has been used to alter the gut composition in unhealthy individuals. There may be a role for FMT in the treatment of GAD to improve the gut-brain-axis.A systematic review of literature was conducted on articles published in PubMed, CINAHL Plus, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Wed of Science from 2000 to 2022 that analyzed FMT as a modality to alter the gut microbiome in which Escherichia-Shigella levels were quantified and reported.Of 1916 studies identified, 14 fit criteria and were included. Recipients undergoing FMT procedures had at least one enteric diagnosis and increased percentages of Escherichia-Shigella pre-FMT. Five studies on recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection, three irritable bowel syndrome, two ulcerative colitis, one ulcerative colitis and recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection, one acute intestinal and chronic graft-vs-host disease, one pouchitis, and one slow transit constipation. 10 articles (71.4 %) showed decreased levels of Escherichia-Shigella post-FMT compared to pre-FMT. Four studies claimed the results were significant (40 %).Limitations include potential bias in study selection, study methods of analysis, and generalization of results.The gut-brain-axis has a role in GAD. Those with GAD have significantly higher Escherichia-Shigella compared to those without GAD. FMT has the potential to decrease Escherichia-Shigella in patients with GAD to positively alter the gut-brain-axis as a potential for future GAD treatment.

Authors & Co-authors:  Baske Timmerman Garmo Freitas McCollum Ren

Study Outcome 

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