Effect of probiotics on depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Huang et al. (2016) addresses the controversy behind probiotics’ efficacy in depression, and performs a systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating the current evidence on the effectiveness of probiotics-based interventions in depression. The meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials indicated probiotics induced effects not only in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) but in the healthy population too, significantly decreasing the depression scale score of the sample population. While probiotics did not show effectiveness in participants aged over 65, its impact on the under-60 population was reported. While this review provides proof associating probiotics with significantly reducing depression scores, further research is warranted. [NPID: probiotics, gut-brain axis, gut microbiota, gut bacteria, microbiota, gut microbiome, major depressive disorder, depression, MDD]

Year: 2016

Reference: Huang, R., Wang, K., & Hu, J. (2016). Effect of Probiotics on Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Nutrients, 8(8), 483. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu8080483