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Probiotic intervention benefits multiple neural behaviors in older adults with mild cognitive impairment

Yuzhe Fei1, Ruiru Wang1, Jiachun Lu2

  • 1School of Public Health, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China.

Geriatric Nursing (New York, N.Y.)
|March 29, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Probiotic supplements improved cognitive function and sleep quality in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). This suggests probiotics may be a viable strategy for managing MCI, potentially through gut microbiota modulation.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Gastroenterology
  • Gerontology

Background:

  • Probiotics have shown cognitive benefits in Alzheimer's disease patients.
  • The efficacy of probiotics for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in older adults remains under investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of probiotic supplementation on cognitive function and neural behaviors in older adults diagnosed with MCI.
  • To explore the potential mechanisms, including gut microbiota changes, underlying these effects.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 42 MCI patients (age > 60).
  • Participants received either probiotic or placebo for 12 weeks.
  • Cognitive function, sleep quality, gut microbiota composition, and serological indicators were assessed pre- and post-intervention.

Main Results:

  • The probiotic group exhibited significant improvements in cognitive function compared to the placebo group.
  • Sleep quality was also enhanced in the probiotic intervention group.
  • Changes in gut microbiota composition were observed and correlated with cognitive improvements.

Conclusions:

  • Probiotic supplementation is effective in enhancing cognitive function and sleep quality in older adults with MCI.
  • Modulation of the gut microbiota appears to be a key mechanism underlying these benefits.
  • Probiotics offer a promising avenue for the clinical prevention and treatment of MCI.
Keywords:
Gut microbiomeGut-brain axisMCINeural behaviorsProbiotic

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