Colleges
Min Gao
PhD
Researcher
- MSc, DPhil supervisor
- Fellow of Wolfson College
Metabolic Health and Depression, Data Science, Health Behaviours Intervention
Min Gao is an Epidemiologist and Health Behaviour Scientist focused on understanding the link between metabolic health and depression through data science and exploring interventions that can help break this connection through modifiable behavioural strategies.
Currently, Min is leading
1) BRC-funded clinical trial (DIME study), a ketogenic diet for patients with treatment-resistant depression.
2) ARC-funded observational and genetic research to explore the associations and mechanisms linking obesity and cardiometabolic disorders with depression, using UK Biobank, Qresearch and CPRD datasets.
3) the use of antidiabetic medications for depression and developing improved treatment strategies for individuals with comorbid type 2 diabetes and depression.
Min welcomes world-wide collaborations in these research areas and accepts requests for supervision of Oxford DPhil and MSc students in relevant areas.
Recent publications
A Ketogenic Diet for Treatment-Resistant Depression: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
Journal article
Gao M. et al, (2026), JAMA Psychiatry
Adiposity and the first-onset of diagnosed mental illnesses: a population-based cohort study of 10 million UK adults.
Journal article
Dong X. et al, (2025), BMC Med, 24
Association between ketone metabolism and the risk of depression: An observational and Mendelian randomization study.
Journal article
Dong X. et al, (2025), J Affect Disord, 388
Weight trajectories and access to weight management services in individuals with severe mental illness in the UK: a population-based, matched cohort study.
Journal article
Lee CL. et al, (2025), Lancet Psychiatry, 12, 736 - 745
Effects of Prebiotics and Probiotics on Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety in Clinically Diagnosed Samples: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
Journal article
Asad A. et al, (2025), Nutr Rev, 83, e1504 - e1520
