Effect of Bifidobacterium longum on cognition and microbiota in post-stroke patients: a single-blinded, controlled trial

TL;DR

This study found that a probiotic, Bifidobacterium longum OLP-01, improved cognitive function and altered gut microbiota in post-stroke patients over 12 weeks.

Contribution

The novel finding is that Bifidobacterium longum OLP-01 improves cognition and modifies gut microbiota in post-stroke patients.

Findings

The OLP-01 group showed improved Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores.

The probiotic group had faster Trail-Making Test completion times and better Stroop test accuracy.

Gut microbiota composition differed between the probiotic and placebo groups.

Abstract

Stroke is the major leading cause of death globally, and has a high disability rate. Malnutrition, cognitive dysfunction, motor impairment, and gut dysbiosis are observed in stroke patients. Our study explored the effects of Bifidobacterium longum OLP-01, a probiotic from an Olympics gold medalist, on cognitive function and gut microbiota as the primary outcomes, and on nutritional status and physical performance as the secondary outcomes in post-stroke patients. The study was a single-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. We recruited 22 post-stroke patients. Participants received either placebo (placebo group, n = 10) or 2 × 1010 colony-forming units (CFU) of Bifidobacterium longum OLP-01 powder (OLP-01 group, n = 12) daily for 12 weeks. Nutritional status was assessed using Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Cognitive function was evaluated by Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Trail-Making Tests, and Stroop Color Naming Test. Physical performance was measured using Timed Up and Go Test and 6-Minute Walk Test. Blood and stool samples were collected for biochemical and gut microbiota analyses. The OLP-01 group increased MoCA scores, decreased time to completion of Trail-Making Tests, and had greater accuracy on incongruent in Stroop Color Naming Test, but decreased MNA scores within the normal ranges. The cognitive-related gut microbiota strain showed differences between the two groups. Supplementation of Bifidobacterium longum OLP-01 at a dose of 2 × 1010 CFU daily for 12 weeks improved cognitive function and changes gut microbiota, but did not alter physical performance in post-stroke patients.

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