Probiotic May Help Improve Memory

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) causes a slight but noticeable and measurable decline in cognitive abilities including memory and thinking skills. A person with MCI is at an increased risk of developing dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. According to a recent study, supplementation with the probiotic strain Bifidobacterium breve A1 may help improve memory in people with MCI. 

Eighty adults suffering from MCI and with an average age of 65 participated in the study. They were given a probiotic supplement containing 2x10¹⁰CFUs of the probiotic strain Bifidobacterium breve A1 or a placebo daily for 16 weeks. Cognitive functions were measured at baseline and at the end of the study using the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) and the Japanese version of the MCI Screen.

Participants in the probiotic group saw significant improvements of 11.3 points in RBANS total score compared to those in the placebo group. Improvements were particularly notable in the areas of immediate memory, visuospatial/constructional, and delayed memory.

The study was conducted by researchers from the Nihonbashi Sakura Clinic. It was published online ahead of print on July 3, 2020 in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.