CenTrial Logo

Probiotics may Improve Brain Function in Depression

by


Clinical trial indicates that probiotics may improve cognition in depression

Depression is a severe condition that affects many people around the world. It can cause sadness, hopelessness, and difficulty with everyday tasks. In addition to these emotional symptoms, depression can cause cognitive problems, such as difficulty with memory, attention, and decision-making.

Current therapies for depression often focus on treating emotional symptoms but do not address the cognitive difficulties that patients may experience. That's why researchers are exploring new treatment strategies that target these cognitive symptoms.

One potential strategy is to use probiotics, which are supplements that contain "good" bacteria that can promote a healthy gut microbiome. The gut microbiota is known to have a strong connection to the brain, so it's possible that probiotics could affect cognitive symptoms in depression.

Clinical Trial

Researchers conducted a randomized controlled trial with 60 patients with major depressive disorder. Half of the participants were given a high-dose probiotic supplement for four weeks, while the other half received a placebo. All participants continued their usual treatment for depression during the study.

Results

The researchers used several tests to assess cognitive function before, immediately after, and four weeks after the intervention. The probiotic group had improved verbal memory immediately after the intervention and improved memory across all time points. They also found that the probiotic group had improved hippocampus function during working memory processing, a key brain area involved in memory and learning.

While the study had some limitations due to the small sample size, the results suggest that probiotics may have potential as a treatment for cognitive symptoms in depression. By promoting a healthy gut microbiome, probiotics may improve brain function and help alleviate some of the cognitive difficulties that patients with depression experience.

Conclusion

These findings highlight the importance of the gut-brain axis in depression and suggest that microbiota-related regimens could be a promising new approach to treating this condition. However, more research is needed to confirm these findings and to determine the best probiotic regimen for patients with depression.
__________



Share this article with a friend:
     


Get emailed clinical trial results in the categories of your choice:
Free subscription to clinical trial results

Without participants there can be no clinical trials.
Without clinical trials there will be no new treatments.
Signup and be matched to trials near you
This free service will notify you of current and future clinical trial matches.


This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. CenTrial Data Ltd. does not take responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. Treatments and clinical trials mentioned may not be appropriate or available for all trial participants. Outcomes from treatments and clinical trials may vary from person to person. Consult with your doctor as to whether a clinical trial is a suitable option for your condition. Assistance from generative AI tools may have been used in writing this article.