Indian scientists from Calcutta conducted an experiment in which patients with depression over the age of 60 were given probiotics. According to the results of a study published in Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, found that participants who took the supplements experienced less anxiety than those who received a placebo.
In the study, 58 patients from India with moderate depression were randomized 1:1 to receive probiotics or placebo for 12 weeks in addition to standard antidepressant treatment. They were followed for an additional 12 weeks.
Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms that support intestinal microflora, digestion and immunity. Participants in the experiment were given two strains of Lactobacillus helveticus and Bifidobacterium longum. The first helps with diarrhea and lactose intolerance by improving calcium absorption, while the second breaks down carbohydrates, neutralizes toxins and supports the immune system.
The scientists reported that taking probiotics “significantly increased” serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and the number of probiotic strains in feces, confirming the biological plausibility of the gut-brain mechanism.
“In a pilot study, supplemental probiotics showed moderate effectiveness in combating symptoms of depression and anxiety compared with placebo,” the scientific publication states.
At the same time, the study results clarify that the method did not improve quality of life to a greater extent than with conventional treatment. Both groups of patients “improved significantly,” and the progress over 24 weeks was “virtually the same” for both.
It notes preliminary evidence that probiotics “may serve as a safe and biologically substantiated adjuvant” in the treatment of depression in older adults, which is “particularly relevant for countries with limited resources and aging populations.” The importance of this is emphasized in an interview with Medical Xpress by study co-author Abhinaba Ghosh, a neurologist at the Tata Medical Center in Kolkata.
“My goal is to develop affordable healthcare solutions and make them accessible to the general population so that they have a meaningful impact on public health,” says Ghosh.
To confirm the reproducibility and reliability of the preliminary results, the scientists mentioned the need for future large-scale studies with standardized treatment protocols and improved patient retention strategies. The latter is especially important because it allows monitoring the long-term effects of this method of combating depression.
