Effects of probiotics on memory, ADHD, and anxiety in children
LE3 .A278 2017
2017
Potter, Susan
Acadia University
Master of Science
Masters
Clinical Psychology
Psychology
There is increasing interest in how the gut microbiome affects cognitive, emotional, and behavioural function via the gut-brain axis. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Anxiety are among the most prevalent psychological disorders experienced by children. Probiotic supplementation is beneficial for gut health and may subsequently impact central nervous system function. The current double-blind placebo controlled trial examined the effects of probiotic supplementation on symptoms of ADHD, Anxiety, and Memory in 48 children. Probiotics were expected to outperform a placebo in reducing symptoms and improving memory function. Although these hypotheses were generally not supported in the main results, exploratory analyses demonstrated a pattern of improvement in ADHD symptoms and memory in a subsample (n= 36) of participants who were not taking stimulant medication. This unexpected finding suggests that probiotic supplementation may be a beneficial first-line treatment for ADHD prior to the introduction of stimulant medication.
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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:2162