Improving cognitive functions with prebiotics and probiotics and discussing their relation to gut health : a nursing perspective
Vlas, Ariana; Bhandari, Soniya (2025)
2025
All rights reserved. This publication is copyrighted. You may download, display and print it for Your own personal use. Commercial use is prohibited.
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025051512040
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025051512040
Tiivistelmä
Studies exploring the potential of the gut microbiota to improve brain health have increased over the past decade. This emerging field holds great promise in the medical field, as it has the potential to prevent cognitive decline and potentially slow down its progression. The purpose of this thesis was to identify the existing research that explores the role of the prebiotics and probiotics in affecting the cognitive functions and the mechanisms involved in gut-brain axis. Authors investigated the risks and limitations associated with the use of prebiotics and probiotics in cognitive function.
This study was conducted using a systematic qualitative literature review approach. The data collected from different scientific electronic databases was subjected to thematic analysis method. A total of 15 studies were selected and analyzed to assess the findings regarding the modulation of the gut using probiotics and prebiotics to support brain health.
Key findings of the articles suggested that gut-brain axis has a significant impact on cognition, operating through multiple mechanisms of action. The most significant mechanism is the vagus nerve that has a direct influence on mood and behavior and has been shown to induce neuroinflammation. Another finding is that gut dysbiosis can severely increase the risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases. Prebiotics and their metabolites have been found to possess the capacity to improve brain plasticity, neuroinflammation in the hippocampus, and could result in significant cognitive improvements. The utilization of probiotics in individuals with mild to advanced cognitive impairment was supported and shown to improve mood, behavior, memory and learning. The beneficial effect was limited to individuals with cognitive impairment and were not found in healthy individuals.
Authors identified the need for more research to understand the neuroprotective effects of these dietary supplements, particularly in the context of prolonged use and in different stages of mental decline, as well as the possible side effects.
This study was conducted using a systematic qualitative literature review approach. The data collected from different scientific electronic databases was subjected to thematic analysis method. A total of 15 studies were selected and analyzed to assess the findings regarding the modulation of the gut using probiotics and prebiotics to support brain health.
Key findings of the articles suggested that gut-brain axis has a significant impact on cognition, operating through multiple mechanisms of action. The most significant mechanism is the vagus nerve that has a direct influence on mood and behavior and has been shown to induce neuroinflammation. Another finding is that gut dysbiosis can severely increase the risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases. Prebiotics and their metabolites have been found to possess the capacity to improve brain plasticity, neuroinflammation in the hippocampus, and could result in significant cognitive improvements. The utilization of probiotics in individuals with mild to advanced cognitive impairment was supported and shown to improve mood, behavior, memory and learning. The beneficial effect was limited to individuals with cognitive impairment and were not found in healthy individuals.
Authors identified the need for more research to understand the neuroprotective effects of these dietary supplements, particularly in the context of prolonged use and in different stages of mental decline, as well as the possible side effects.