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Updated: Dec 8, 2025

Orienteering as a Tool for Cognitive Research: An Implementation Guide
Published on: November 29, 2024
A specific dietary fibre supplementation improves cognitive performance-an exploratory randomised,
Kirsten Berding1, Caitriona M Long-Smith1, Carina Carbia1
1APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
Dietary polydextrose (PDX) supplementation modestly improved cognitive flexibility and sustained attention in healthy women. This prebiotic fiber may enhance gut-brain communication and modulate stress responses.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Microbiology
- Nutrition Science
Background:
- The gut-brain axis highlights the microbiota's influence on host health.
- Dietary fiber and prebiotics modulate the gut microbiota.
- Limited understanding exists regarding their impact on cognition and stress response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate polydextrose (PDX) efficacy in enhancing cognitive performance and stress response.
- To explore PDX's mechanism via gut microbiota manipulation in healthy individuals.
Main Methods:
- Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study.
- 18 healthy females received 12.5 g PDX or maltodextrin for 4 weeks.
- Assessed cognitive function, mood, stress markers, microbiota, and inflammation.
Main Results:
- PDX improved cognitive flexibility (IED task) and sustained attention (RVP task).
- Increased Ruminiclostridium 5 abundance observed with PDX.
- PDX attenuated monocyte CD62L increase compared to placebo.
Conclusions:
- Polydextrose supplementation offers modest cognitive benefits.
- PDX may improve gut-to-brain communication.
- PDX shows potential in modulating behavioral responses.
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