Summary: A new study suggests probiotics with vitamin D might improve cognitive function in people with schizophrenia. The study involved 70 adults who took either a placebo or the supplements daily for 12 weeks. Those on the supplements showed improvement in a cognitive function test, but not in overall disease severity.
Key Facts:
- Probiotics + vitamin D may improve cognitive function in schizophrenia.
- MoCA scores (cognitive test) increased in the probiotic group.
- PANSS scores (disease severity) showed no significant change.
Source: Wiley
Previous studies have questioned whether gut microbe imbalances and vitamin D deficiency may be linked to schizophrenia.
New research published in Neuropsychopharmacology Reports now indicates that taking probiotics plus vitamin D supplements may improve cognitive function in individuals with the disease.
For the study, 70 adults with schizophrenia were randomized to take a placebo or probiotic supplements plus 400 IU vitamin D daily for 12 weeks. Severity of the disease and cognitive function were evaluated by tests called the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the 30-point Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), respectively.
A total of 69 patients completed the study. The MoCA score increased by 1.96 units in the probiotic-containing supplement group compared with the placebo group. Also, the percentage of patients with MoCA scores of 26 or higher (indicating normal cognition) rose significantly in the intervention group. Between-group differences in PANSS scores were not significant.
“Probiotics may be a novel way to treat mental disorders by regulating gut microbiota,” said corresponding author Gita Sadighi, MD, of the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, in Iran.
About this schizophrenia research news
Author: Sara Henning-Stout
Source: Wiley
Contact: Sara Henning-Stout – Wiley
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News
Original Research: Open access.
“Co-administration of probiotic and vitamin D significantly improves cognitive function in schizophrenic patients: A double-blinded Randomized controlled trial” by Gita Sadighi et al. Neuropsychopharmacology Reports
Abstract
Co-administration of probiotic and vitamin D significantly improves cognitive function in schizophrenic patients: A double-blinded Randomized controlled trial
Aim
Manipulation of the intestinal microbiome and supplying vitamin D can attenuate psychiatric symptoms in schizophrenic patients. The current study tried to evaluate the effects of probiotic/vitamin D supplementation on the cognitive function and disease severity of schizophrenic patients.
Methods
In the present study, 70 patients (aged 18–65) with schizophrenia were recruited. Participants were randomly allocated to the placebo (n = 35) and intervention (probiotic supplements+400 IU vitamin D, n = 35) groups. Severity of disease and cognitive function (primary outcomes) were evaluated by Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) tests, respectively. Moreover, lipid profile, body mass index (BMI), gastrointestinal (GI) problems, serum C-reactive protein (CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were evaluated as secondary outcomes.
Results
A total of 69 patients completed the study. The MoCA score was increased by 1.96 units in the probiotic-containing supplement group compared to the placebo (p = 0.004). Also, the percentage of subjects with MoCA score ≥ 26 rose significantly in the intervention group (p = 0.031). Moreover, TC (p = 0.011), FBS (p = 0.009), and CRP (p < 0.001) significantly decreased in the supplement group compared to the placebo. Although the probiotic supplement reduced PANSS score by 2.82 units, the difference between the study groups was not statistically significant (p = 0.247).
Conclusion
Co-administration of probiotics and vitamin D has beneficial effects on the improvement of cognitive function in schizophrenic patients.
