Methods used to transfer gut bacteria from psychiatric patients to mice: a review and need for standard rules

A systematic review found that mouse FMT studies using stool from psychiatric patients are methodologically inconsistent enough to limit reproducibility.

This systematic review of 31 studies transferring microbiota from human psychiatric patients into rodent models found major variation in rodent model choice, antibiotic preparation, microbiota depletion checks, donor strategy, dosing, engraftment assessment, and behavioral testing schedules.

As a methods-focused review rather than an outcomes study, it highlights protocol heterogeneity and translational limits rather than delivering consistent evidence about psychiatric mechanisms or effects.