Probiotics could aid in preventing cognitive decline that happens during aging, according to a study released at the American Society for Nutrition conference this week in Boston. The research could make the gut microbiome a preventive target as experts look for ways to thwart cognitive decline in older adults.
Which probiotic is the sweet spot? Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, or LGG. When people with mild cognitive impairment took that for three months, it improved their cognitive test scores. As their brain power got a boost, it changed their gut health, too.
“The implication of this finding is quite exciting, as it means that modifying the gut microbiome through probiotics could potentially be a strategy to improve cognitive performance, particularly in individuals with mild cognitive impairment,” Mashael Aljumaah, a microbiology doctoral candidate at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, said in a statement.
“This adds a new layer to our understanding of the microbiome brain-gut connection and opens up new avenues for combating cognitive decline associated with aging,” Aljumaah said.
The study included 169 people between 52 and 75 who were placed in two groups: Those with no neurological issues, and those with mild cognitive impairment. People in each group received an LGG probiotic or a placebo for three months.
The scientists looked at gene sequencing and compared bacteria in stool samples. There were more microbes in the genus Prevotella present in people with mild cognitive impairment compared to people without it. But when people took the probiotics, Prevotella levels went down. That also occurred alongside better cognitive scores.
A lot of research focuses on severe forms of cognitive diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia, which are more advanced and harder to reverse or treat, Aljumaah said.
“We focused on mild cognitive impairment, which can include problems with memory, language or judgment. Interventions at this stage of cognitive impairment could slow down or prevent the progression to more severe forms of dementia,” Aljumaah said.
“If these findings are replicated in future studies, it suggests the feasibility of using gut microbiome-targeted strategies as a novel approach to support cognitive health,” Aljumaah added.
