Effect of probiotics on cognitive function and cardiovascular risk factors in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease: an umbrella meta-analysis

Bibliographic Details
Title: Effect of probiotics on cognitive function and cardiovascular risk factors in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease: an umbrella meta-analysis
Authors: Bin Xiao, Lina Fu, Zhe Yang, Guran Yu
Source: Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition, Vol 44, Iss 1, Pp 1-16 (2025)
Publisher Information: BMC, 2025.
Publication Year: 2025
Collection: LCC:Nutritional diseases. Deficiency diseases
LCC:Public aspects of medicine
Subject Terms: Probiotics, Alzheimer’s disease, Mild cognitive impairment, Inflammation, Oxidative stress, Meta-analysis, Nutritional diseases. Deficiency diseases, RC620-627, Public aspects of medicine, RA1-1270
More Details: Abstract Background This umbrella meta-analysis evaluates the effects of probiotics on cognitive function and metabolic health in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) by synthesizing findings from meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), as existing evidence remains inconclusive. Methods A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus to identify meta-analyses of RCTs investigating the impact of probiotic supplementation on cognitive function and metabolic biomarkers. The random-effects model was used. Heterogeneity and publication bias were assessed. Results Thirteen meta-analyses, comprising 3910 patients, were included. Probiotics significantly improved cognitive function in AD (SMD = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.33 to 1.23) and MCI (SMD = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.15 to 0.70). Probiotics also increased total antioxidant capacity (SMD = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.11 to 0.70) and reduced MDA (SMD = − 0.35, 95% CI: − 0.62 to − 0.09) and hs-CRP (SMD = − 0.59, 95% CI: − 0.87 to − 0.30). Insulin resistance improved, as reflected by decreased HOMA-IR (SMD = − 0.34, 95% CI: − 0.43 to − 0.26). No significant effects were observed on glutathione, nitric oxide, or lipid profiles. Conclusion Probiotic supplementation appears to enhance cognitive function and metabolic parameters in individuals with MCI and AD, likely through mechanisms involving inflammation reduction, oxidative stress modulation, and improved insulin sensitivity. Further high-quality RCTs are required to validate these findings and determine optimal probiotic formulations.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 2072-1315
Relation: https://doaj.org/toc/2072-1315
DOI: 10.1186/s41043-025-00816-3
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/005b97118d1945e684d0472c60ac87ad
Accession Number: edsdoj.005b97118d1945e684d0472c60ac87ad
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
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More Details
ISSN:20721315
DOI:10.1186/s41043-025-00816-3
Published in:Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition
Language:English