SynthesisBMC nutrition2025
Impact of probiotic supplementation on serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor: GRADE-based dose-response meta-analysis.
Synthesis in BMC nutrition, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.
What it found
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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.
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.
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Who cites it
5 citing papers in PubMed.
- Probiotics and the Human Microbiome: Classical Functions, Emerging Systemic Roles, and Future Therapeutic Frontiers.Biology · 2026Review
- Oxidative Stress-Gut Microbiome Crosstalk: Intestinal Redox Imbalance and Probiotics Therapeutic Potential.Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Review
- Probiotics as Modulators of Adult Neurogenesis and Synaptic Plasticity: New Perspectives in the Pathophysiology and Treatment of Affective Disorders.Biomedicines · 2026Review
- Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity activities of natural products: therapeutic potential in Alzheimer's disease.Frontiers in pharmacology · 2026Review
- The role of microbiota modulation in preventing Alzheimer's disease- a review.Pharmacological reports : PR · 2025Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
7 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundBrain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a key neurotrophin involved in neuroplasticity and cognitive function, with its dysregulation linked to neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. Probiotics, through the gut-brain axis, may modulate BDNF levels, but evidence remains inconsistent. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effect of probiotic supplementation on serum BDNF levels and explore dose-response relationships.
methodsWe conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis, searching PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Central, Web of Science, and Embase up to April 2025, following PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO: CRD420251036851). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving adults (≥ 18 years) with a minimum 2-week probiotic intervention and reported BDNF levels were included. A random-effects model calculated weighted mean differences (WMDs), and fractional polynomial modeling assessed non-linear dose-response relationships. Heterogeneity, publication bias, and evidence quality (GRADE) were evaluated.
resultsFrom 20 RCTs (n = 2372 participants), probiotic supplementation significantly increased serum BDNF levels (WMD = 0.18, 95% CI: 0.11–0.26; P < 0.001), with high heterogeneity (I²=96%, P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis identified longer follow-up duration (> 10 weeks) as a heterogeneity source (WMD = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.13–2.26; I²=46%). A significant non-linear association was found between treatment duration and BDNF levels (Pnonlinearity = 0.02), but not dosage (Pnonlinearity = 0.277). No significant publication bias was detected (Begg’s P = 0.15; Egger’s P = 0.29). Evidence quality was very low per GRADE.
conclusionsProbiotic supplementation increases serum BDNF levels, particularly with prolonged interventions (> 10 weeks), suggesting its potential as an adjunctive therapy for BDNF-related disorders, warranting further high-quality research. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.
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