Probiotics for Mental Health: A Review of Recent Clinical Trials

2021 ◽  
pp. 155982762110491
Author(s):  
Monica Kazlausky Esquivel
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Gut Microbiome ◽  
Digestive System ◽  
Healthy Individuals ◽  
Appetite Control ◽  
Mental Health Benefits ◽  
Brain Neurotransmitters ◽  
Study Participants

The digestive system is involved in providing both regulatory and biochemical signaling to the nervous system via the gut–brain axis. Major brain neurotransmitters within the enteric nervous system include acetylcholine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, which are triggered by various stimuli within the digestive system, including the microbiota. Associations between the gut microbiome and activation of neuroreceptors and neurotransmitters are related to factors such as appetite control, mood, and memory. This column presents the results of a brief review of recently published clinical trials related to gut microbiome interventions (n = 11) that aimed to address a variety of mental health outcomes. The impacts of probiotics on mental health and other clinical outcomes vary by the health of study participants. Continuing research on the mental health benefits of probiotics in healthy individuals is necessary.

scholarly journals Kaleidoscope

2017 ◽  
Vol 210 (2) ◽  
pp. 174-175
Author(s):  
Derek K. Tracy ◽  
Dan W. Joyce ◽  
Sukhwinder S. Shergill
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Gut Microbiome ◽  
Social Stress ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Stress Test ◽  
Bifidobacterium Longum ◽  
Visuospatial Memory ◽  
Cognitive Assessments ◽  
Prefrontal Cortical ◽  
Mental Health Benefits

‘Psychobiotics’ is your new word this month: live microorganisms with mental health benefits. We've previously noted the links between the gut microbiome and changes in cognition and psychopathology. Now, Allen and colleagues test an intervention – using the bacterium Bifidobacterium longum 1714 – in 22 healthy volunteers who undertook cognitive assessments, resting electro-encephalography (EEG), and a social stress test at baseline, post-placebo, and post-psychobiotic. The active intervention was associated with reduced cortisol levels and subjective anxiety in response to the stress test, as well as lower levels of self-reported stress. It also resulted in enhanced frontal midline EEG mobility, which is representative of prefrontal cortical activity, and modest improvements in visuospatial memory performance. The authors propose a precision strategy, to rationally test particular candidate bacteria strains – rather than the ‘probiotic cocktail’ often administered – against specific psychopathology.

Administering Generous Mental Health Benefits: Opinions of Employers

2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gail Robinson ◽  
◽  
Lisa Chimento ◽  
Stacey Bush ◽  
John Papay
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Benefits ◽  
Mental Health Benefits

National Identification, A Social Cure for COVID-19? Evidence From 67 Countries

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Bonetto ◽  
Sylvain Delouvée ◽  
Yara Mahfud ◽  
Jais Adam-Troian
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Health Benefits ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
National Identification ◽  
The Social ◽  
Mental Health Benefits

Social distancing and mass quarantines were implemented worldwide in response to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Prior research on the effects of social isolation has shown that such measures bear negative consequences for population health and well-being. Conversely, a growing body of evidence suggests that feeling positively identified with a group is associated with a range of physical and mental health benefits. This effect is referred to as the social cure and generalizes to various identities. In line with these findings, this study tested whether national identification could promote wellbeing and physical health during the COVID-19 pandemic. To do so, we used survey data conducted among 67 countries (N = 46,450) which included measures of wellbeing, national identification, and subjective physical health. Mixed-model analyses revealed that national identity was indeed associated with wellbeing - despite adjustment on social belonging, COVID-19 perceived risk, exposure, and ideology. This effect did not extend to subjective health. These results suggest that the mere feeling of belonging to a national group may have mental health benefits and could be leveraged by governments. We discuss the implications of our findings within the social cure framework and their relevance for population mental health under COVID-19.

scholarly journals Emerging Pharmacological Treatments for Cerebral Edema: Evidence from Clinical Studies

2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 291-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesse A. Stokum ◽  
Volodymyr Gerzanich ◽  
Kevin N. Sheth ◽  
W. Taylor Kimberly ◽  
J. Marc Simard
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Cerebral Edema ◽  
Clinical Studies ◽  
Central Nervous System Disease ◽  
Ancient Egypt ◽  
Nervous System Disease ◽  
Pharmacological Treatments ◽  
System Disease

Cerebral edema, a common and often fatal companion to most forms of acute central nervous system disease, has been recognized since the time of ancient Egypt. Unfortunately, our therapeutic armamentarium remains limited, in part due to historic limitations in our understanding of cerebral edema pathophysiology. Recent advancements have led to a number of clinical trials for novel therapeutics that could fundamentally alter the treatment of cerebral edema. In this review, we discuss these agents, their targets, and the data supporting their use, with a focus on agents that have progressed to clinical trials.

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