Tag: Mental Health

Mental Health, AI & Learning
Proposal: Using Artificial Intelligence tools to support and mediate learning for students with math related difficulties, preventing and minimizing mental health issues.

Proposed Implementation: 2026 to 2028

Call: HORIZON-CL2-2025-01 – Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society – 2025

Topic: HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-TRANSFO-08

Type of Action: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions

Proposed Budget: 3 850 702,80€

Keywords: Population dynamics, aging, health and society, Social sciences, interdisciplinary, Sociology

Objective: This interdisciplinary project brings together experts in AI, psychology, education, and policy across eight countries to understand how the timing and availability of support during digital learning influences mathematics anxiety, and to develop scalable, ethical solutions to address it.

The project will co-design, deploy, and evaluate AI model, a generative LM interactive system and will integrate foundational research, multi-country piloting, psychological analysis, and socio-economic modelling, supported by robust ethics, governance, and dissemination strategies. FAIR-aligned datasets and AI explainability tools will ensure transparency, privacy, and reuse.

Aligned with Horizon Europe Cluster 2 goals on educational resilience, mental health, and the Digital Education Action Plan, this project delivers new scientific insights, evidence-based policy recommendations, and an ethically grounded digital intervention with EU-wide relevance.

Partners:
- Liverpool John Moores University
- Health Citizens – European Institute
- Wageningen University
- Università Degli Studi Di Siena
- Finnovaregio
- SYNYO
- Kepez İlce Milli Egitim Mudurlugu
- Ibonis European Research Projects
- Fundación Cibervoluntarios
The association between H. pylori infection and cognitive deterioration: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The association between cognitive decline and H. pylori infection remains controversial, with some evidence suggesting that H. pylori eradication may slow the progression of the disease.

A new meta-analysis reviewed 16 studies to explore whether H. pylori affects cognitive function and whether cognitive decline is linked to higher rates of infection.

The analysis found that people with H. pylori infection had a higher risk of cognitive decline, especially when cognitive dysfunction and dementia were combined. However, the infection was not clearly linked to Alzheimer’s disease. Conversely, people with Alzheimer’s disease were more likely to have H. pylori infection than those without, though the association was weaker for other forms of dementia.

These findings suggest a bidirectional relationship in which H. pylori may contribute to cognitive decline, and certain cognitive conditions may increase susceptibility to infection. The study also highlights the need for more well-designed research to fully understand this complex interaction.

Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-025-03160-8

Reference

Elhady, M.M., Zidan, A., Rabea, E.M. et al. The association between H. pylori infection and cognitive deterioration: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Med Res 30, 846 (2025)
Genetic correlation, pleiotropic loci and shared risk genes between major depressive disorder and gastrointestinal tract disorders

Although depression is often linked to digestive disorders, the biological connection behind this phenomenon has remained unclear.

A recent genome-wide association study analyzed genetic data from hundreds of thousands of people to explore potential links between major depressive disorder (MDD) and gastrointestinal conditions such as peptic ulcers (mainly caused by H. pylori infection), acid reflux, irritable bowel disease, and inflammatory bowel disease.

The researchers found that depression shares genetic risk factors with most digestive disorders, meaning that some of the same genes and genetic regions influence both mental and gut health. The study also suggested that genetic susceptibility to certain gut conditions may increase the risk of depression, once again highlighting the strong gut-brain connection.

These findings could help scientists better understand the gut-brain connection and may point to new ways to treat gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with depression.

Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2025.01.048

Reference

Zhou, S., Zi, J., Hu, Y., Wang, X., Cheng, G., & Xiong, J. (2025). Genetic correlation, pleiotropic loci and shared risk genes between major depressive disorder and gastrointestinal tract disorders. Journal of affective disorders, 374, 84–90.
Children’s Mental Health Literacy
Proposal: Empowering Children with Mental Health Literacy Online

Proposed Implementation: 2025 to 2027

Call: CERV-2024-CHILD – Rights of the child and children’s participation

Topic: CERV-2024-CHILD

Type of Action: CERV-LS – CERV Lump Sum Grants

Proposed Budget: 339 427,14€

Keywords: Mental Health, Raising awareness of children and/or young people

Objective: The project aims to address the pressing issue of mental health among adolescents aged 14-17 in the context of digitalization. It focuses on developing strategies to support teenagers’ mental well-being in the face of various challenges exacerbated by digitalization, such as cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content, and excessive screen time.

The initiative entails mapping good practices across four countries, bringing together psychological experts to develop training formats aimed at preparing the educational staff and youth workers to support children’s mental health, both within and beyond school environments.

The project emphasizes the importance of promoting digital and media literacy skills among children and youth to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly. Through collaborative efforts with stakeholders, the project seeks to foster a supportive environment for children’s mental health and well-being in the digital age.

Partners:
- Asociatia Umanista Romana
- Health Citizens – European Institute
- Loesje Bitola
- Society and Enterprise Development Institute
Value of serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor and glial fibrillary acidic protein for detecting depression in patients with Helicobacter pylori infection

Depression is often associated with Helicobacter pylori and the success of its treatment.

In this recent research paper, it was shown that people infected with these bacteria have lower levels of BDNF (a brain health marker considered a promising biomarker of depression) and higher levels of GFAP (a protein known as a marker of astroglia pathology in depression) in their blood, a change that is strongly related to depression symptoms. The researchers also found that a combined marker including BDNF, GFAP, gut hormone levels, and gastrointestinal symptoms scores was able to accurately predict depression in infected patients.

These findings suggest that these markers could be used to detect depression in people with H. pylori infection.

Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neulet.2024.137687

Reference

Zhao, E., Yu, Q., Wang, M., Wang, Z., Jiang, B., Ma, X., Zhou, B., Dai, Q., Li, J., Wang, S., Chen, F., & Yang, X. (2024). Value of serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor and glial fibrillary acidic protein for detecting depression in patients with Helicobacter pylori infection. Neuroscience letters, 825, 137687.
Helicobacter Pylori and Psychiatric Disorders: Comorbidity and Therapeutic Perspectives

This 2023 observational study, conducted over three consecutive years in a psychiatric clinic, followed adults receiving outpatient psychiatric care for different psychiatric disorders.

Of those patients, 291 had depression that did not respond to treatment, persistent iron deficiency, or digestive complaints, and were tested for the presence of Helicobacter pylori. After confirming the infection and treating it, most patients also received iron and vitamins B9 and B12 when needed.

The results were striking: 74% of H. pylori–positive patients who continued psychiatric follow-up reported improvement after treatment. They experienced reductions in symptoms such as apathy, loss of pleasure, anxiety, sadness, cognitive problems, derealization, and sleep disturbances.

Although these benefits may be linked to several biological mechanisms, including reduced brain inflammation and changes in how tryptophan is metabolized, as well as the removal of toxins produced by the bacteria the researchers suggest that screening and treating H. pylori infection may meaningfully support psychiatric care in selected patients.

Learn more about this study here: https://www.scientificliterature.org/Anxiety/Anxiety-23-136.pdf

Reference

Kassir Adel and Kassir Sarah. Helicobacter Pylori and Psychiatric Disorders: Comorbidity and Therapeutic Perspectives. Anxiety And Depression Journal. 2023; 4(1):136
Association of mental health conditions and functional gastrointestinal disorders among Vietnamese new-entry medical students

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), sometimes called disorders of gut–brain interaction, do not affect only older people, they are also common in young adults. A study among 400 first-year medical students in Vietnam investigated how these gut disorders relate to mental health.

About 10% of students had an FGID such as functional dyspepsia or irritable bowel syndrome, and 3% had overlapping conditions including acid reflux. Depression and anxiety were also frequent, with around 10% showing signs of major depressive disorder and 7% showing generalized anxiety disorder. Helicobacter pylori infection was detected in 45% of participants.

The key finding was that depression was strongly associated with gut disorders. Students with major depressive disorder were much more likely to have FGIDs and overlapping gastrointestinal problems than students without depression.

Interestingly, in this study, this risk was also greater in women.

These results support the strong link between mental health and digestive symptoms in young adults, highlighting the importance of screening and early support for both areas in student populations.

Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0289123

Reference

Tran, T. T. T., Luu, M. N., Tran, L. L., Nguyen, D., Quach, D. T., & Hiyama, T. (2023). Association of mental health conditions and functional gastrointestinal disorders among Vietnamese new-entry medical students. PloS one, 18(7), e0289123.
Helicobacter Pylori Associated Depression among Patients Presenting with Epigastric Pain

Helicobacter pylori infection is an extremely prevalent infection that has been connected not only to a number of illnesses such as stomach cancer and peptic ulcer disease. H. pylori has also been linked to depression but the mechanisms behind this connection are still poorly understood.

A research study by Mohamed and colleagues aimed to better explore this relation by assessing the presence and severity of depression in 150 patients with or without H. pylori infection.

When comparing both groups, the authors found that H. pylori infection was significantly associated with depression and, more interestingly, with its severity. These findings point to the importance of assessing the presence of gastrointestinal symptoms or dyspepsia in patients with depression.

Learn more about this study here: https://healthcitizens.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Mohamed-and-Elrassas_Helicobacter-Pylori-.pdf

Reference

Dina M. Mohamed and Hanan Elrassas, “Helicobacter Pylori Associated Depression among Patients Presenting with Epigastric Pain”, The Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine (January 2023) Vol. 90 (2), Page 2315-2320
Helicobacter pylori Infection Is Associated with Long-Term Cognitive Decline in Older Adults: A Two-Year Follow-Up Study

Helicobacter pylori infection is usually known for causing stomach problems, but it may also affect brain health. This research study published in 2023 followed 268 older adults with memory complaints for two years to see whether H. pylori infection was linked to cognitive decline.

While at the beginning of the study, people with and without H. pylori performed similarly on memory tests, over the two-year follow-up, those with a history of infection showed greater declines in their Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores. After taking into account age, sex, education, genetic risk factors and common medical conditions, H. pylori infection was still associated with a significantly higher risk of cognitive decline, with infected participants more likely to lose three or more MMSE points and showing a faster rate of decline over time.

These findings suggest that H. pylori infection may contribute to progressive cognitive deterioration in older adults with memory complaints and may be relevant in understanding pathways linking infection and dementia.

Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-221112

Reference

Wang J, Yu N-W, Wang D-Z, et al. Helicobacter pylori Infection Is Associated with Long-Term Cognitive Decline in Older Adults: A Two-Year Follow-Up Study. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. 2023;91(4):1351-1358.
Depression among people with dyspepsia and H. pylori infection: A community based cross-sectional study in Ethiopia

A 2022 community-based study in southwest Ethiopia explored potential links between Helicobacter pylori infection, dyspepsia, and depression in residents aged 13 years and older.

Among the 871 participants – most of whom were married, had no formal education, and lived in rural areas – around 11% showed signs of probable depression. The prevalence was slightly higher (13%) among those experiencing at least one symptom of dyspepsia. Interestingly, in this study, H. pylori infection alone was not linked to higher depression rates, nor were age or gender.

The findings suggest digestive symptoms may increase the risk of depression, highlighting the importance of addressing both mental and gut health when managing gastrointestinal symptoms.

Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0275424

Reference

Soboka, M., Gudina, E. K., Gashaw, M., Amare, H., Berhane, M., Desalegn, H., Tewolde, D., Jebena, M. G., Ali, S., Wieser, A., Froeschl, G., & Tesfaye, M. (2022). Depression among people with dyspepsia and H. pylori infection: A community based cross-sectional study in Ethiopia. PloS one, 17(10), e0275424.
GWAS of peptic ulcer disease implicates Helicobacter pylori infection, other gastrointestinal disorders and depression

A study of over 450,000 people in the UK Biobank identified 8 independent genes that affect stomach acid, gut movement, and the body’s response to infection, including susceptibility to Helicobacter pylori infection.

The study also explored connections between these gut conditions and depression, which often occurs alongside digestive problems, providing new insights into the complex interplay between gut health and mental well-being.

Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-21280-7

Reference

Wu, Y., Murray, G.K., Byrne, E.M. et al. GWAS of peptic ulcer disease implicates Helicobacter pylori infection, other gastrointestinal disorders and depression. Nat Commun 12, 1146 (2021)