A Non-Interventional Pilot Study to Explore the Role of Gut Flora in Depression

Who can take part

• Signed informed consent, demonstrating that the patient understands the procedures required for the study and the purpose of the study; May be signed by parent or legal guardian in the case of minor or adult unable to provide consent
• Male or female of all ages. (interest is given to children who present with autism or Crohn's and whose parents wish to analyze their children's gut flora. Also of interest analysis of development of the child's microbiome. In the case of autism, the younger the child, the better to correct the neurological problems if an association is found between autism and the microbiome)
• Diagnosis of depression based on DSM-V criteria

Who cannot take part

• Participation in any experimental drug protocol within the past 12 weeks
• Treatment with total parenteral nutrition
• History of bariatric surgery, total colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis or proctocolectomy
• Refusal to sign informed consent form
• Postoperative stoma, ostomy, or ileoanal pouch