BLUEBERRIES, GUT MICROBIOTA, AND METABOLITES IN DEPRESSED OLDER ADULTS - A PILOT STUDY

Our major goal is to gather preliminary evidence on the synergistic impact of dietary fiber and anthocyanin intake on the gut microbiota-related pathways/processes relevant to depression utilizing a whole-food approach. We propose an ancillary study to a currently funded (IRB Approval Pro00064749; Co-PI Dr. Millar) randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention in untreated older adults (≥ 65 y) with depressive symptoms. The aims of this ancillary project are:Objective 1: Determine the impact of daily dietary fiber and anthocyanin (via freeze-dried blueberry powder) intake on microbes that produce gut-derived SCFA in untreated older adults with depressive symptoms by performing a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial.Objective 2: Determine the effect of daily dietary fiber and anthocyanin intake on fecal SCFA in untreated older adults with depressive symptoms, participating in the clinical trial.Objective 3: Determine the effect of daily dietary fiber and anthocyanin intake on depressive symptom severity in untreated older adults with depressive symptoms, participating in the clinical trial.