Functioning MRI Brain Scan Evidence Probiotics Affect Brain Function

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There is growing evidence that there is back and forth unication between the gut, the gut-brain or enteric nervous system and the big brain or the central nervous system. Studies suggest that gut bacteria may be involved in this communication system. Clinical data shows that probiotics affects psychological states like anxiety and depression.

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Question arises, do we biologically change the functioning of brain by altering the composition of intestinal bacteria using probiotics? Animal studies certainly demonstrate this phenomenon, but is it true in humans as well.

How can probiotics change brain activity?

Changes in bacterial signaling or neuroactive compounds like production of short chain fatty acids stimulating acid receptors in colon or directly the nerve cells in gut
Alterations in gut associated immune cells and immune signals
Changes in stimulation of vagus nerve

Dr. Tillisch and colleagues from the Oppenheimer Family Center for Neurobiology of Stress, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California examined the effect of modulating the gastrointestinal flora by probiotic on brain functioning as measured by functional MRI scans. Their findings were published in the journal Gastroenterology.

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Probiotic Functioning MRI scan study

Double blind randomized controlled study for 4 weeks
Intervention: Probiotic milk containing DN-173 010 plus the traditional yogurt starters Streptococcus thermophilus & Lactobacilus bulgaricus plus Lactococcuslactis. A cup serving contained 1.25x10¹⁰ CFU of L. lactis/DN1730100 plus 1.2x10⁹ CFU of 2 traditional starter culture strains.
Control groups (2): Non-fermented milk or no milk
Stools were collected before and after the study
Functional MRI scans
Resting eye closed MRI scan

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Task based Functional MRI Scans

Emotional faces attention task where the subject matched negative effect (fear/anger) face
Control task consisted of geometric picture rather than face

Results of Probiotic Functioning MRI scan study

Chronic probiotic ingestion produced significant changes and widespread changes in the brain signifying connectivity.
Changes in brain activity occurred both at rest as well as in task-induced state.

Resting brain networks provide a baseline framework for brain functioning which can then adapt rapidly to a change in stimulus. Tasks produced decreased activity in task-induced network specific areas of brain like sensory brain network, frontal (involved with executive functioning including choosing between good and bad and the consequences of inappropriate behavior), prefrontal (controls emotion and impulsive behavior), temporal lobes, parahippocampal gyrus (involved in scene recognition, recognition of social context and verbal communication) and periaqueductal gray (PAG).

Alteration in this basic template can result in altered responses to stimuli. The study confirmed that changes in resting state network were predictive of responses during the task.

Dr. Minocha's comments on the Probiotic Functioning MRI scan study

The study demonstrates not just that there are active connections between the gut, the intestinal bacteria and the brain but also that results of such connections can be modified by altering the intestinal milieu by probiotics. These results provide further credence to the patients claims that their psychological functioning or chronic pain syndromes improve upon consuming probiotics.

Caveat: All probiotics are not created equal and the effects are strain and dose specific.

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Wall Street Journal Best Seller Dr. M's Seven-X Plan for Digestive Health

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