Effects of prebiotics on emotional processing

Short-term administration of prebiotic supplements in healthy volunteers: effects on emotional processing, cortisol, and memory

Recent evidence suggests that nutritional influences can affect certain aspects of brain function, hormonal levels, and mood. For example, the ingestion of probiotics has been shown to reduce emotional symptoms in chronic fatigue in humans. Prebiotics (as opposed to probiotics) support the development of these same bacteria in the gut and animal data suggest that ingestion of prebiotics increases brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) which is associated with the efficacy of antidepressant drug action. The current study aims to explore the potential effects of several weeks of prebiotics intake on well-being, emotional and memory processing, and cortisol levels in healthy volunteers.

PERL Researchers: Steven Errington, Kristin Schmidt, Catherine Harmer, Phil Burnet