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Cited by 21Probiotics and Fermented FoodsGut microbiota and healthDementia and Cognitive Impairment Research

The Beneficial Effects of Lactobacillus Strains on Gut Microbiome in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Systematic Review

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Quansah, Michael, David, Monique Antoinette, Martins, Ralph, El-Omar, Emad, Aliberti, Silvana Mirella, Capunzo, Mario, Jensen, Slade O., Tayebi, Mourad·2025·Healthcare
DOI 10.3390/healthcare13010074PMC PMC11720007
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Abstract

Background/Objectives: Growing evidence suggests that the gut–brain axis influences brain function, particularly the role of intestinal microbiota in modulating cognitive processes. Probiotics may alter brain function and behavior by modulating gut microbiota, with implications for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The purpose of this review is to systematically review the current literature exploring the effects of probiotic supplementation on gut microbiota and cognitive function in AD and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed/Medline, Embase, and Scopus to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from inception to 20 August 2024. The search focused on comparing outcomes between intervention and control/placebo groups. Data searches, article selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment were performed in accordance with Cochrane guidelines. Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO registration no: CRD42023446796. Results: Data from four RCTs involving 293 Individuals (AD and MCI patients) receiving mainly Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains showed some beneficial effects on cognitive function, altered gut microbiota composition, and positively affected metabolic biomarkers. However, variability in microbiota assessment across studies limits the interpretation of results. The limited number and quality of the existing studies make it difficult to draw definitive conclusions from the data. Additional high-quality research is clearly needed. Conclusions: Probiotics show promise as an adjunctive intervention for cognitive decline, but larger, long-term trials are needed to confirm their efficacy and clinical applicability in neurodegenerative diseases like AD.

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  • The human microbiome plays a fundamental role in health maintenance and the aging process.

    “The human microbiome, a vast ecosystem of microorganisms residing in the gut, skin, respiratory tract, and mucosal surfaces, plays a fundamental role in health maintenance and the aging process [96].”

    From The Power of Environment: A Comprehensive Review of the Exposome's Role in Healthy Aging, Longevity, and Preventive Medicine-Lessons from Blue Zones and Cilento (2025) · cites this paper as [96]

    Section 1.1 (Gut Microbiome; page unavailable) says the human microbiome plays essential roles in regulating health and disease and describes microorganisms at several body sites. It says age can shape gut microbiome composition, but does not say the microbiome plays a fundamental role in the aging process. (LLM, conf=0.85)

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References 59 · Cited by 21

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Authors
Quansah, M., David, M. A., Martins, R., El-Omar, E., Aliberti, S. M., Capunzo, M., Jensen, S. O., & Tayebi, M.
Affiliations
  • University of Ghana (GH)
  • Western Sydney University (AU)
  • Macquarie University (AU)
  • UNSW Sydney (AU)
  • University of Salerno (IT)
  • Ingham Institute (AU)
Corresponding author
Tayebi, Mourad
ORCID
Venue
Healthcare
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2025-01-03
Volume
13
Issue
1
Pages
74
ISSN
2227-9032 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3390/healthcare13010074
PMC
PMC11720007
OpenAlex
W4406051510
Cited by
21
References
59
Citations by year
2026: 9 · 2025: 12
FWCI
1.72
Type
journal article
Language
en
Update notices
correction (2025-01-03)
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Healthcare (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Western Sydney University
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Food Science › Probiotics and Fermented Foods
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Gut microbiota and health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
Keywords
Lactobacillus, probiotics, Alzheimer's disease, gut microbiota, gut-brain axis, mild cognitive impairment, cognitive function, neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic biomarkers, cognitive decline

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