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People with MS are more likely to experience depression, causing significant burden to the individual and the healthcare system. New therapies for depression that are effective, inexpensive and tolerable are urgently needed. Healthy diets that are rich in fruits and vegetables have been shown in several recent studies to improve depressive symptoms. One suggested reason for this effect is due to the high concentration of polyphenols, (micronutrients found in fruits and vegetables), which have a wide range of beneficial properties believed to be relevant to improving depression. Also, people who consume higher levels of polyphenols in their diet have been shown to have a decreased risk of depression. While the evidence is promising, the role of polyphenols in improving depression in people with MS has not yet been studied.
This will be the first research program internationally, using gold standard study designs, to thoroughly investigate the role of polyphenols in managing depression in MS. If shown to be effective, this research will provide strong evidence for the role of a tolerable, low-cost, and widely available strategy to help improve depression in people with MS.
Approval has been granted to use the AusImmune dataset to contribute to this study which will add significant weight to the study findings. Dr Marx has first analysed the relationship between polyphenol intake and MS in this dataset and hopes to publish these results later this year. The next step is to analyse the polyphenol intake data and depressive symptoms within the AusImmune and AusLong (Ausimmune Longitudinal study) datasets.
A new study, called the RELIEF trial, will provide the microbiome data for the second aim of the study, which will examine the relationship between dietary polyphenol intake, depressive symptoms and the composition of the gut microbiome. Recruitment has been delayed due to COVID-19 restrictions, but it is hoped that recruitment can be accelerated in coming months. Remote data collection methods have also been instituted for the study, in addition to on-line interviews.
Updated: 15 April 2021
Updated: 21 January, 2020
Laboratory research that investigates scientific theories behind the possible causes, disease progression, ways to diagnose and better treat MS.
Research that builds on fundamental scientific research to develop new therapies, medical procedures or diagnostics and advances it closer to the clinic.
Clinical research is the culmination of fundamental and translational research turning those research discoveries into treatments and interventions for people with MS.
$120,000
3 years
