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Merkouris E, Mavroudi T, Miliotas D, Tsiptsios D, Serdari A, Christidi F, Doskas TK, Mueller C, Tsamakis K. Probiotics' Effects in the Treatment of Anxiety and Depression: A Comprehensive Review of 2014-2023 Clinical Trials. Microorganisms 2024; 12:411. [PMID: 38399815 PMCID: PMC10893170 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12020411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Changes in the gut microbiome can affect cognitive and psychological functions via the microbiota-gut-brain (MGB) axis. Probiotic supplements are thought to have largely positive effects on mental health when taken in sufficient amounts; however, despite extensive research having been conducted, there is a lack of consistent findings on the effects of probiotics on anxiety and depression and the associated microbiome alterations. The aim of our study is to systematically review the most recent literature of the last 10 years in order to clarify whether probiotics could actually improve depression and anxiety symptoms. Our results indicate that the majority of the most recent literature suggests a beneficial role of probiotics in the treatment of depression and anxiety, despite the existence of a substantial number of less positive findings. Given probiotics' potential to offer novel, personalized treatment options for mood disorders, further, better targeted research in psychiatric populations is needed to address concerns about the exact mechanisms of probiotics, dosing, timing of treatment, and possible differences in outcomes depending on the severity of anxiety and depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ermis Merkouris
- Neurology Department, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupoli, Greece; (E.M.); (T.M.); (D.M.); (D.T.); (F.C.)
| | - Theodora Mavroudi
- Neurology Department, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupoli, Greece; (E.M.); (T.M.); (D.M.); (D.T.); (F.C.)
| | - Daniil Miliotas
- Neurology Department, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupoli, Greece; (E.M.); (T.M.); (D.M.); (D.T.); (F.C.)
| | - Dimitrios Tsiptsios
- Neurology Department, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupoli, Greece; (E.M.); (T.M.); (D.M.); (D.T.); (F.C.)
- 3rd Neurology Department, Aristotle University, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Aspasia Serdari
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece;
| | - Foteini Christidi
- Neurology Department, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupoli, Greece; (E.M.); (T.M.); (D.M.); (D.T.); (F.C.)
| | | | - Christoph Mueller
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London, London SE5 8AB, UK;
- Biomedical Research Centre, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Konstantinos Tsamakis
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London, London SE5 8AB, UK;
- Institute of Medical and Biomedical Education, St George’s, University of London, London SW17 0RE, UK
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