Cherry Leung, PhD, RN, assistant professor of community health systems, at UCSF’s Parnassus campus. Photo by Noah Berger
Interest in adolescent mental health is growing as studies highlight increased stress, anxiety, and depression in this age group. Teens are facing increased biological, social, and environmental pressure to manage stressors while their bodies and brains are still developing. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 1 in 5 adolescents ages 12–17 have had at least one major depressive episode in the past year — an increase from 1 in 9 a decade ago.
As researchers explore new ways to treat mental health conditions in teens beyond traditional therapy and medications, one area of growing interest is the connection between the gut and the brain, known as the gut-brain axis. Related research on adults has shown a connection between the brain and gut bacteria that influences mood through inflammation and brain chemicals like serotonin. This begs the question: Could treating gut bacteria in teens be effective in treating their depression?
Cherry Leung, PhD, RN, associate professor of community health systems with the UC San Francisco School of Nursing, studies the impact of probiotics to supplement prescription medication like antidepressants on adolescents. Her research is supported by National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding.