Research paper

Effects of probiotics supplementation on dementia and cognitive impairment: A systematic review and meta-analysis of preclinical and clinical studies

Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry

Dec 2020

DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2020.110189

Citations: 42

Influential: 1

Systematic Reviews / Meta-Analyses

Study answer

What this study found

Clinical trials showed probiotics improved general cognitive function (MMSE, RBANS, TYM) after treatment, with some studies also reporting improvements in memory, attention and language. Preclinical studies showed memory improvements and favorable biochemical changes (increased BDNF, CREB phosphorylation, improved synaptic plasticity, reduced amyloid-related pathology). The meta-analysis of clinical trials found a significant positive effect on general cognitive function, though heterogeneity was high. Probiotics could be a potential therapeutic strategy for dementia and cognitive…

Study & population: Clinical trials were randomized, and several were double-blind, placebo-controlled studies in older adults with Alzheimer's disease (AD) or mild cognitive impairment (MCI), ages 50–100 years.
Intervention: Oral probiotic regimens with Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains, often multi-strain blends.
Key limitation: Most evidence is from preclinical studies; clinical evidence is limited to a small number of trials with small sample sizes and methodological variability.

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Original abstract

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