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Researchers recently conducted a double-blind, randomized controlled trial examining the effects of coadministration of probiotics and vitamin D on cognitive function in patients with schizophrenia. This study took a closer look at the potential synergistic effects of these supplements in addressing the cognitive impairments associated with schizophrenia.1
“Manipulating the gut microbiome and providing vitamin D may reduce psychiatric symptoms in patients with schizophrenia,” the researchers wrote. “In the current study, we sought to evaluate the effects of probiotic/vitamin D supplementation on cognitive function and disease severity in patients with schizophrenia.”
The study involved 70 people diagnosed with schizophrenia between the ages of 18 and 65. They were randomly assigned to either a placebo group (n = 35) or an intervention group (n = 35) receiving probiotic supplements and 400 IU of vitamin D.1
The primary outcomes focused on disease severity and cognitive function were assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test, respectively. Secondary outcomes such as lipid profile, body mass index (BMI), gastrointestinal (GI) issues, serum C-reactive protein (CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were also measured.1
A total of 69 patients successfully completed the study. In the group that took the supplement containing probiotics, the MoCA score showed a significant increase of 1.96 units compared to the placebo group (p = 0.004).1
The proportion of participants achieving a MoCA score of 26 or higher was significantly increased in the intervention group (p = 0.031). Furthermore, total cholesterol (TC) (p = 0.011), fasting blood glucose (FBS) (p = 0.009), and C-reactive protein (CRP) (p < 0.001) were significantly increased in the supplement group compared to the placebo group. decreased. . Probiotic supplementation led to a 2.82 unit reduction in PANSS scores, but the difference between study groups did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.247).1
According to the researchers, this study marks the first use of a supplement that combines probiotics and vitamin D, and this formulation offers improved ease of prescribing compared to previous interventions. It is gaining popularity. This study is also the first to evaluate the effect of probiotic supplementation on MoCA scores in patients with schizophrenia.1
However, the researchers found that some studies did not take into account the vitamin D status of the study population and lacked detailed information about the drugs administered to participants in both study groups. He also pointed out the limitations. They noted that employing block randomization rather than simple randomization may prove beneficial in controlling for potential covariates such as medication regimen in future research efforts. suggested.1
“Current randomized controlled trials have shown that vitamin D and probiotic supplementation improve cognitive function in patients with schizophrenia, but given the aforementioned limitations, it is important to note that the same “There is a need to carry out research on this,” the researchers concluded.
Read the full study Neuropsychopharmacology report here.
According to the World Health Organization, schizophrenia affects approximately 24 million people worldwide, affecting 1 in 222 adults. People with schizophrenia are up to three times more likely to die prematurely than the general population.2 Here are some of the latest updates and discussions from experts regarding the treatment of schizophrenia. Psychiatry Times®:
Relationship between gut microbiota and treatment resistance in schizophrenia
Developing effective treatment strategies for women with schizophrenia
The constipation problem caused by clozapine
Drug Pipeline: Schizophrenia and PTSD
Get the latest news related to research on promising new interventions and developments in the treatment of schizophrenia and various other mental illnesses. psychiatrictimes.com.
Note: This article was created in collaboration with ChatGPT.
References
1. Mohammadi A, Sadighi G, Astaneh AN, et al. Coadministration of probiotics and vitamin D significantly improves cognitive function in patients with schizophrenia: a double-blind randomized controlled trial. Neuropsychiatric agent. 2024;00:1-10.
2. Schizophrenia. who. January 10, 2022. Accessed April 12, 2024. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/schizophrenia
