Evidence mapPaperPMID 40076598Full record

SynthesisInternational journal of molecular sciences2025

Can We Modulate Our Second Brain and Its Metabolites to Change Our Mood? A Systematic Review on Efficacy, Mechanisms, and Future Directions of "Psychobiotics".

Stefania Garzone, Ioannis Alexandros Charitos, Manuela Mandorino, Maria Elena Maggiore, Loredana Capozzi, Bujar Cakani, Gabriel César Dias Lopes, Luisella Bocchio-Chiavetto, Marica Colella

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in International journal of molecular sciences, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Trial
  3. Review
  4. Review
  5. Review
  6. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Stefania GarzoneInterdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Microbiology and Virology, School of Medicine, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy.ORCID 0009-0009-2223-4338
Ioannis Alexandros CharitosIstituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Pneumology and Respiratory Rehabilitation Unit, "Institute" of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy.ORCID 0000-0003-3527-7483
Manuela MandorinoInterdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Microbiology and Virology, School of Medicine, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy.ORCID 0009-0006-8992-4622
Maria Elena MaggioreInterdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Microbiology and Virology, School of Medicine, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-5421-881X
Loredana CapozziInterdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Microbiology and Virology, School of Medicine, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-6431-1743
Bujar CakaniDepartment of Clinical Disciplines, "Alexander Xhuvani" University of Elbasan, 3001 Elbasan, Albania.ORCID 0000-0002-6428-3383
Gabriel César Dias LopesDepartment of Neuroscience and Mental Health, School of Science of Health, Logos University International (UNILOGOS), Miami, FL 33137, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-4977-5873
Luisella Bocchio-ChiavettoIRCCS Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, 25125 Brescia, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-9801-603X
Marica ColellaInterdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Microbiology and Virology, School of Medicine, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy.ORCID 0000-0003-0806-4327

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Psychobiotics, live microorganisms that provide mental health by interacting with the gut microbiota, are emerging as a promising therapeutic option for psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. Their effectiveness in addressing conditions such as depression, anxiety, insomnia, stress, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and eating disorders were examined through a comprehensive analysis of existing studies up to the first half of 2024, based on data from reliable electronic databases. We found that psychobiotics can significantly reduce symptoms of various psychiatric disorders by influencing neurotransmitter levels, regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and improving gut barrier function through short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and other metabolites. However, several limitations were identified, including inconsistent study methodologies, small sample sizes, and a lack of data on long-term safety. Addressing these limitations through rigorous research is essential for establishing standardized protocols and fully confirming the therapeutic potential of psychobiotics. In conclusion, psychobiotics show great promise as complementary treatments for mental health conditions, but continued research is necessary to refine their application and integrate them into clinical practice effectively.

Indexed as

AffectBrainMental DisordersProbioticsAnimalsGastrointestinal MicrobiomeHumansHypothalamo-Hypophyseal SystemPituitary-Adrenal Systemgut-brain axisneurodevelopmental disordersneurotransmittersprobioticspsychiatric disorders

Identifiers

PMID40076598
PMCPMC11899754

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.