The Gut-Brain Axis (GBA) is a bidirectional communication system between the central nervous system (CNS) and the enteric nervous system (ENS), with gut microbiota playing a crucial role in regulating its functions. This study investigates probiotics’ effects on adolescents’ cognition, memory, and emotions. A double-blind, randomized controlled trial involved 15 healthy adolescents aged 15–18, divided into a treatment group receiving probiotics and a control group given a placebo. Assessments included baseline and post-intervention evaluations after a four-week period using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Results showed significant cognitive improvement and increased positive emotions in the treatment group, while the control group exhibited no notable changes. These findings suggest probiotics positively influence cognitive function and emotional state by modulating gut microbiota. Despite the small sample size, this study provides preliminary evidence for probiotics’ therapeutic potential in adolescents. Larger, longer-term studies are needed to confirm these results.

Boran Cui, Zhenxiong Wen, Yuhan Zhang, Weibo Zhang. Probiotics Impact on Cognitive Ability and Emotions in Adolescents: A Brain-Gut Axis Study. Academic Journal of Medicine & Health Sciences (2025), Vol. 6, Issue 1: 38-45. https://doi.org/10.25236/AJMHS.2025.060106.

[1] Martin C R, Osadchiy V, Kalani A, et al. The Brain-Gut-Microbiome Axis[J]. Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 2018, 6(2): 133–148. 

[2] Guo C, He P. Brain-gut Axis and Its Research Progress[J]. World Latest Medicine Information, 2017, 17(95): 89–91.

[3] Akbari E, Asemi Z, Daneshvar Kakhaki R, et al. Effect of Probiotic Supplementation on Cognitive Function and Metabolic Status in Alzheimer’s Disease: a Randomized, Double-Blind and Controlled Trial[J]. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 2016, 8(256).

[4] Morton J T, Jin D-M, Mills R H, et al. Multi-level analysis of the gut–brain axis shows autism spectrum disorder-associated molecular and microbial profiles[J]. Nature Neuroscience, 2023, 26(7): 1208–1217.

[5] Cryan J F, Dinan T G. Mind-altering microorganisms: the Impact of the Gut Microbiota on Brain and Behaviour [J]. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 2012, 13(10): 701–712.

[6] Tosti V, Bertozzi B, Fontana L. Health Benefits of the Mediterranean Diet: Metabolic and Molecular Mechanisms [J]. The Journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, United States: 2017, 73(3): 318–326.

[7] Wang A, Lin Y, Wu Y, et al. Macronutrients intake and risk of Parkinson’s disease: A meta-analysis[J]. Geriatrics & Gerontology International, 2014, 15(5): 606–616.

[8] Houser M C, Chang J, Factor S A, et al. Stool Immune Profiles Evince Gastrointestinal Inflammation in Parkinson’s Disease[J]. Movement Disorders, 2018, 33(5): 793–804.

[9] Wallace C J K, Milev R. The effects of probiotics on depressive symptoms in humans: A systematic review [J]. Annals of General Psychiatry, 2017, 16(1).

[10] Watson D, Clark L A, Tellegen A. Development and validation of brief measures of positive and negative affect: The PANAS scales.[J]. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1988, 54(6): 1063–1070.

[11] Nasreddine Z S, Phillips N A, Bedirian V, et al. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment, MoCA: A brief screening tool for mild cognitive impairment[J]. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 2005, 53(4): 695–699.

[12] Gao Y, Zhang G, Jiang S, et al. Wekemo Bioincloud: A user‐friendly platform for meta‐omics data analyses [J]. iMeta, Wiley, 2024, 3(e175).

[13] Zhang H, Xu J. Modern Psychology and Educational Statistics[M]. Beijing Normal University Press, 2007.

[14] Fortes P M, Vieira R, Henrique L, et al. Inflammatory cytokines and lipid profile in children and adolescents with nephrotic syndrome receiving L. Plantarum: a randomized, controlled feasibility trial [J]. Journal of the Brazilian Medical Association, Brazilian Medical Association, 2020, 66(11): 1487–1492.

[15] Anca-Ioana (Amzăr) Scărlătescu, Bruno Ștefan Velescu, Miruna-Maria Apetroaei, et al. Practices and Trends in the Prescription of Probiotics: A Detailed Analysis in an Eastern European Region[J]. Processes, Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, 2024, 12(9): 1856–1856.

[16] Almeida M, Alexia Figueiredo Ferreira, Caetano C, et al. Development and Characterization of Hydroxyethyl Cellulose-Based Gels Containing Lactobacilli Strains: Evaluation of Antimicrobial Effects in In Vitro and Ex Vivo Models[J]. Pharmaceuticals, 2023, 16(3): 468–468.

[17] Joshi N. Objective Assessment of Retinal Ganglion Cell Function in Glaucoma[D]. SUNY College of Optometry: 2017.

[18] Research and Development Center, Biogrowing Co., Ltd. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strain:Lp-G18 (ID 715285) - BioProject - NCBI[EB/OL]. Nih.gov. 2021-03-27/2024-09-29. https://www.ncbi.nlm. nih.gov/ bioproject/715285.

[19] Grant J R, Enns E, Marinier E, et al. Proksee: in-depth characterization and visualization of bacterial genomes[J]. Nucleic Acids Research, Oxford University Press, 2023, 51(W1): W484–W492.

[20] Xie S. A Psychosomatic Study of Test Anxiety and Gastrointestinal Discomfort in students: Based on the Theory of brain-gut Axis[J]. Examination Weekly, 2018, 60: 1–3.