COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING BACTERIAL STRAINS
The invention provides a composition comprising a bacterial strain of the genus Megasphaera , for use in the treatment or prevention of a disorder characterised by serotonin deficiency.
1 - 19 . (canceled)
20 . A method for treating or preventing a disorder characterized by serotonin deficiency in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering a composition comprising a bacterial strain of the genus Megasphaera to the subject.
21 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the disorder is a psychiatric disorder.
22 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the disorder is selected from the group consisting of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and obsessive compulsive disorder.
23 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the disorder is depression or PTSD.
24 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the composition increases the production of serotonin in the subject via a tryptophan hydroxylase pathway.
25 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the composition increases the expression of tryptophan hydroxylase 1 and/or tryptophan hydroxylase 2 in the subject.
26 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the composition increases the expression of serotonin transporter in a neuron of the subject.
27 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the composition increases the secretion of serotonin in the brain of the subject.
28 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the bacterial strain produces at least one metabolite from the group consisting of butyrate, valeric acid and hexanoic acid, and consumes acetate and/or propionate.
29 . The method of claim 28 , wherein the bacterial strain produces butyrate, valeric acid and hexanoic acid, and consumes acetate and propionate.
30 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the bacterial strain has a 16S rRNA sequence that is at least 95% identical to the 16S rRNA sequence of a bacterial strain of the genus Megasphaera.
31 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the bacterial strain has a 16s rRNA gene sequence that is at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO:11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16.
32 . The method of claim 31 , wherein the bacterial strain has a 16s rRNA gene sequence of SEQ ID NO:11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16.
33 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the bacterial strain is of Megasphaera massiliensis.
34 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the bacterial strain has a 16s rRNA gene sequence that is at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO:1 or 2.
35 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the bacterial strain has a 16s rRNA gene sequence that is at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO:2.
36 . The method of claim 35 , wherein the bacterial strain has a 16s rRNA gene sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.
37 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the subject has been administered a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor.
38 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the composition is administered in combination with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor.
39 . The method of claim 38 , wherein the composition is administered simultaneously with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor.
40 . The method of claim 38 , wherein the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor is citalopram, dapoxetine, escitalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline, or vortioxetine.