Improved Cognition in Moderately Stressed Subjects: A Randomized Controlled Study - Probi

The gut-brain axis - Intake of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum​ HEAL9 Improves Cognition in Moderately Stressed Subjects: A Randomized Controlled Study​

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Objective

Recent research on the field of the gut-brain axis suggests probiotics may provide a novel approach to support mental health. This study aimed to investigate the effect of the probiotic strain Lactiplantibacillus plantarum​ HEAL9 (HEAL9™) on neurocognitive parameters in moderately stressed but otherwise healthy participants.

Method

The randomized, placebo-controlled, and double-blinded study involved 129 subjects consuming LPHEAL9 (n=65) or placebo (n=64) for 12 weeks. Cognitive performance was evaluated by the COMPASS tool. Self-perceived stress, mood states, sleep, cortisol and biomarkers were also measured.

Results

A significant improvement in favour of LPHEAL9 vs placebo was observed for cognition, baseline vs 12w. Cortisol was significantly decreased in the LPHEAL9 group, while no difference was seen for placebo. All mood-states were significantly improved within the LPHEAL9 group, and a tendency for greater improvement in the LPHEAL9 group vs placebo was found for three negative mood subscales. LPHEAL9 significantly improved sleep quality and decreased daytime dysfunction, while no difference was seen in the placebo group. Compared to baseline, LPHEAL9 was associated with a small reduction in serum fractalkine and kynurenine levels, whereas placebo was associated with increased levels of these markers.

Conclusions

LPHEAL9 intake significantly improved memory and cognitive function compared to placebo. Additionally, improved sleep quality and mood states, as well as decreased cortisol was seen after intake of LPHEAL9 in moderately stressed but otherwise healthy individuals. LPHEAL9 offers a novel approach to supporting brain health via the gut by targeting immunomodulatory and metabolic pathways.

Declarations

Funding: Probi AB, Lund, Sweden.

The study was approved by the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of the Cork Teaching Hospitals, Cork (ECM 4 (ll) 9 March 2021) and registered at Clinical Trials (NCT04931082) before the first participant was included.