Bifidobacteria modulate cognitive processes in an anxious XXXX strain.

@entity308 @entity19 @entity3825 @entity13854 @entity14914 @entity148
Increasing evidence suggests that a brain-gut-microbiome axis exists, which has the potential to play a major role in modulating behaviour. However, the role of this axis in cognition remains relatively unexplored. Probiotics, which are commensal bacteria offering potential health benefit, have been shown to decrease @entity148 , @entity308 and @entity3825 -related behaviours. In this study, we investigate the potential of two Bifidobacteria strains to modulate cognitive processes and @entity3825 sensitivity. Adult male BALB/c @entity19 were fed daily for 11 weeks with @entity13854 1714, @entity14914 1205 or vehicle treatment. Starting at week 4, animals were behaviourally assessed in a battery of tests relevant to different aspects of cognition, as well as locomotor activity and @entity3825 . In the object recognition test, @entity13854 1714-fed @entity19 discriminated between the two objects faster than all other groups and @entity14914 1205-fed @entity19 discriminated faster than vehicle animals. In the Barnes maze, @entity13854 1714-treated @entity19 made fewer errors than other groups, suggesting a better learning. In the fear conditioning, @entity13854 1714-treated group also showed better learning and memory, yet presenting the same extinction learning profile as controls. None of the treatments affected visceral sensitivity. Altogether, these data suggest that @entity13854 1714 had a positive impact on cognition and also that the effects of individual Bifidobacteria strains do not generalise across the species. Clinical validation of the effects of probiotics on cognition is now warranted.
