A meta-analysis of the use of probiotics to alleviate depressive symptoms

Ng, Qin Xiang; Peters, C.W.; Ho, Collin Yih Xian; Lim, Donovan Yutong; Yeo, Wee‐Song

doi:10.1016/j.jad.2017.11.063

Cited by 276 publications

(220 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…Supplementary Table S1 shows characteristics of all the individual trials that have assessed probiotic interventions on depressive symptoms included in the systematic reviews . All individual studies were randomized controlled trials.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Table shows the characteristics of the seven included systematic reviews, in order of publication date . Out of the seven systematic reviews, three conducted meta‐analyses.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The most recent meta‐analysis, conducted by Ng et al ., showed probiotics to provide no significant decrease in depressive symptoms in subjects when compared to placebo (SMD = −0.128 [favoring treatment, 95%CI: −0.261 to 0.00463, P = 0.059]). Ng et al .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A high‐quality level means that we can be confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect, while a very low‐quality level means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate . The studies rated as having high quality were Ng et al ., Wang et al ., and Huang et al .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effect of probiotic interventions on depressive symptoms: A narrative review evaluating systematic reviews

Nadeem

Rahman

Ad-Dab’bagh

et al. 2019

Psychiatry Clin Neurosci

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Depression is one of the most prevalent mental illnesses and is often associated with various other medical disorders. Since the 1980s, the primary pharmacological treatment has been antidepressants, but due to the recent discovery of the association between the gut microbiome and mental health, probiotics have been proposed as an adjunctive or alternate treatment. In this narrative review, we aim to provide a holistic perspective by synthesizing and evaluating existing evidence, discussing key biological mechanisms, exploring the history of probiotic use, and appreciating the influence of modern diet on mental health. Five online databases were searched for relevant studies up to December 2017. Systematic reviews that included randomized controlled trials assessing the efficacy of probiotics in the treatment of depressive symptoms were included. Seven systematic reviews met the inclusion criteria. Three of these reviews conducted meta‐analyses, out of which, two concluded that probiotics improved depressive symptoms in the sample population. Out of the four reviews that conducted qualitative analysis, three reviews concluded that probiotics have the potential to be used as a treatment. Due to the differences in clinical trials, a definitive effect of probiotics on depressive symptoms cannot be concluded. Nonetheless, probiotics seem to potentially produce a significant therapeutic effect for subjects with pre‐existing depressive symptoms. Further studies are warranted for definitive conclusions.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Table shows the characteristics of the seven included systematic reviews, in order of publication date . Out of the seven systematic reviews, three conducted meta‐analyses.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Effect of probiotic interventions on depressive symptoms: A narrative review evaluating systematic reviews

Nadeem

Rahman

Ad-Dab’bagh

et al. 2019

Psychiatry Clin Neurosci

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“…Probiotic supplementation has been shown to have sustained effects on gut microbiota [10] and probiotics have demonstrated anti-inflammatory and immune-modulatory properties [11]. Like several natural products and nutraceuticals [12], probiotics have gained enormous popularity for myriad clinical applications, including gastrointestinal disorders and mood disorders [13, 14]. As no previous systematic review or meta-analysis has been done to investigate the effect of probiotic supplementation on schizophrenia symptoms, this study aims to provide the first review on the topic and generate hypotheses for future research.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Systematic Review of the Effect of Probiotic Supplementation on Schizophrenia Symptoms

Soh

Venkatanarayanan

et al. 2019

Neuropsychobiology

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Background: Derangements of the gut microbiome have been linked to increased systemic inflammation and central nervous system disorders, including schizophrenia. This systematic review thus aimed to investigate the hypothesis that probiotic supplementation improves schizophrenia symptoms. Methods: By using the keywords (probiotic OR gut OR microbiota OR microbiome OR yogurt OR yoghurt OR lactobacillus OR bifidobacterium) AND (schizophrenia OR psychosis), a preliminary search of the PubMed, Medline, Embase, Google Scholar, ClinicalTrials.gov, Clinical Trials Register of the Cochrane Collaboration Depression, Anxiety and Neurosis Group (CCDANTR), and Cochrane Field for Complementary Medicine databases yielded 329 papers published in English between January 1, 1960 and May 1, 2018. Attempts were made to search grey literature as well. Results: Three clinical studies were reviewed, comparing the use of probiotics to placebo controls. Applying per-protocol analysis and a fixed-effects model, there was no significant difference in schizophrenia symptoms between the group that received probiotic supplementation and the placebo group post-intervention as the standardized mean difference was –0.0884 (95% CI –0.380 to 0.204, p = 0.551). Separate analyses were performed to investigate the effect of probiotic supplementation on positive or negative symptoms of schizophrenia alone. In both instances, no significant difference was observed as well. Conclusion: Based on current evidence, limited inferences can be made regarding the efficacy of probiotics in schizophrenia. Although probiotics may have other benefits, for example to regulate bowel movement and ameliorate the metabolic effects of antipsychotic medications, the clinical utility of probiotics in the treatment of schizophrenia patients remains to be validated by future clinical studies.

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The researcher's guide to selecting biomarkers in mental health studies

Verhoeven,

Wolkowitz,

Barr Satz

et al. 2024

BioEssays

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Clinical mental health researchers may understandably struggle with how to incorporate biological assessments in clinical research. The options are numerous and are described in a vast and complex body of literature. Here we provide guidelines to assist mental health researchers seeking to include biological measures in their studies. Apart from a focus on behavioral outcomes as measured via interviews or questionnaires, we advocate for a focus on biological pathways in clinical trials and epidemiological studies that may help clarify pathophysiology and mechanisms of action, delineate biological subgroups of participants, mediate treatment effects, and inform personalized treatment strategies. With this paper we aim to bridge the gap between clinical and biological mental health research by (1) discussing the clinical relevance, measurement reliability, and feasibility of relevant peripheral biomarkers; (2) addressing five types of biological tissues, namely blood, saliva, urine, stool and hair; and (3) providing information on how to control sources of measurement variability.

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A meta-analysis of the use of probiotics to alleviate depressive symptoms

Cited by 276 publications

References 41 publications

Effect of probiotic interventions on depressive symptoms: A narrative review evaluating systematic reviews

Effect of probiotic interventions on depressive symptoms: A narrative review evaluating systematic reviews

A Systematic Review of the Effect of Probiotic Supplementation on Schizophrenia Symptoms

The researcher's guide to selecting biomarkers in mental health studies

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