Major Depressive Disorder is a leading cause of disability in the world. Portugal is among the European countries with the highest rates of the disease. The Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) has been associated with a decrease in the risk of Major Depressive Disorder and symptoms of depression. These associations might be related to the anti-inflammatory properties of healthy dietary patterns, considering these patients frequently have elevated inflammation biomarkers. Therefore, the INDEPT project aims to study the effect of MedDiet on depressive symptomatology among patients diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder, which also has increased inflammation biomarkers.

Keywords: Depression, Major Depressive Disorder, Nutritional Intervention, Randomized Controlled Trial

Principal Investigator: Maria João Heitor – Hospital Beatriz Ângelo

Research Team

• ciTechCare: Maria Guarino; Nuno Sousa-Santos
• Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Medicina (Instituto de Saúde Ambiental (ISAMB)): Mónica Daniela Fialho; Teresa Madeira; José Camolas; Osvaldo Santos

Duration: 36 months (2021 – 2024)

Institutional Partners and Others

• Associação para Investigação e Desenvolvimento da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa
• Unidade Local de Saúde da Região de Leiria, E.P.E.
• Hospital Beatriz Ângelo
• ULSSM – Unidade Local de Saúde Santa Maria, E.P.E

Reference: PTDC/SAU-NUT/3321/2020

Funding: Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT)