title: A randomized controlled trial to test the effect of multispecies probiotics on cognitive reactivity to sad mood.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent insights into the role of the human microbiota in cognitive and affective functioning have led to the hypothesis that probiotic supplementation may act as an adjuvant strategy to ameliorate or prevent depression.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Heightened cognitive reactivity to normal, transient changes in sad mood is an established marker of vulnerability to depression and is considered an important target for interventions. The present study aimed to test if a multispecies probiotic containing Bifidobacterium bifidum W23, Bifidobacterium lactis W52, Lactobacillus acidophilus W37, Lactobacillus brevis W63, Lactobacillus casei W56, Lactobacillus salivarius W24, and Lactococcus lactis (W19 and W58) may reduce cognitive reactivity in non-depressed individuals.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a triple-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, pre- and post-intervention assessment design, 20 healthy participants without current mood disorder received a 4-week probiotic food-supplement intervention with the multispecies probiotics, while 20 control participants received an inert placebo for the same period. In the pre- and post-intervention assessment, cognitive reactivity to sad mood was assessed using the revised Leiden index of depression sensitivity scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to participants who received the placebo intervention, participants who received the 4-week multispecies probiotics intervention showed a significantly reduced overall cognitive reactivity to sad mood, which was largely accounted for by reduced rumination and aggressive thoughts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results provide the first evidence that the intake of probiotics may help reduce negative thoughts associated with sad mood. Probiotics supplementation warrants further research as a potential preventive strategy for depression.
authors: Leiden University, Institute for Psychological Research, Cognitive Psychology, Wassenaarseweg 52, 2333 AK Leiden, The Netherlands; Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands. Electronic address: L.Steenbergen@fsw.leidenuniv.nl.
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Steenbergen
authors: Leiden University, Institute for Psychological Research, Cognitive Psychology, Wassenaarseweg 52, 2333 AK Leiden, The Netherlands; Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands. Electronic address: R.Sellaro@fsw.leidenuniv.nl.
authors: Roberta
authors: R
authors: Sellaro
authors: Winclove Probiotics, Hulstweg 11, 1032 LB Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: S.vanHemert@winclove.nl.
authors: Saskia
authors: S
authors: van Hemert
authors: University of Amsterdam, Psychology Department, Clinical Psychology, Weesperplein 4, 1018 XA Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: J.A.Bosch@uva.nl.
authors: Jos A
authors: JA
authors: Bosch
authors: Leiden University, Institute for Psychological Research, Cognitive Psychology, Wassenaarseweg 52, 2333 AK Leiden, The Netherlands; Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands. Electronic address: Colzato@fsw.leidenuniv.nl.
authors: Lorenza S
authors: LS
authors: Colzato
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects*; D001644:Bifidobacterium; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007778:Lactobacillus; D007779:Lactobacillus acidophilus; D008297:Male; D019936:Probiotics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012919:Social Behavior; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Cognitive reactivity; Depression; Probiotics