The effect of multispecies probiotics on cognitive reactivity to sad mood in patients with Crohn's disease

Background: Gut microbiota could modulate brain functions and consequent behavior through gut-brain axis. We evaluated the impact of intestinal flora using probiotics in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) on cognitive reactivity to sad mood. Method: Patients in Group 1 received multiple probiotics followed by Chamomile capsules. Patients in Group 2 received Chamomile capsules followed by multiple probiotics. Patients accomplished the Leiden Index of Depression Sensitivity (LEIDS-r), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) questionnaires after each cycle of cross-over treatment. Results: The baseline LEIDS-r in two groups did not have significant difference. After 3 weeks of treatment, patients in Group 1 had better LEIDS-r scores compared with patients in Group 2 (36.6 vs. 40.9, P = 0.012). After crossover, patients in Group 1 had worse LEIDS-r scores compared with patients in Group 2 (39.2 vs. 35.2, P = 0. 0.016). Conclusion: Probiotics have the tendency to improve cognitive reactivity to sad mood in CD patients.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the impact of probiotics on cognitive reactivity to sad mood in patients with Crohn's disease through a crossover experiment. The results indicated that probiotics have the tendency to improve cognitive reactivity to sad mood in these patients, but the effect may vary at different treatment stages.