Trial of 58 Seniors Links 2 Probiotic Strains to Lower Depression and Higher BDNF
Updated
Updated · mindbodygreen · Jul 8
Trial of 58 Seniors Links 2 Probiotic Strains to Lower Depression and Higher BDNF
3 articles · Updated · mindbodygreen · Jul 8
Summary
A 12-week clinical trial in 58 adults over 60 with moderate depression found those taking two probiotic strains alongside antidepressants reported slightly greater improvements in depression and anxiety than a placebo group.
The probiotic group also showed higher levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, or BDNF, a protein tied to neuroplasticity, while tests confirmed the bacteria had established themselves in participants' gut microbiomes.
All participants stayed on prescribed antidepressants and improved over the study, indicating the probiotics were tested as an add-on rather than a replacement for standard depression treatment.
The findings add to growing gut-brain research suggesting targeted microbiome changes may influence mental health through biological pathways, though the study did not prove the bacteria directly caused the mood gains.