Probiotics as adjunctive therapy for Alzheimer disease

Hamzeh, Olia; Halaji, Mehrdad

doi:DOI:10.22088/crms.9.2.84

Volume 9, Issue 2 (2-2025) CRMS 2025, 9(2): 84-87 | Back to browse issues page

‎ DOI:10.22088/crms.9.2.84

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Hamzeh O, Halaji M. Probiotics as adjunctive therapy for Alzheimer disease. , CRMS. 2025; 9 (2) : 12
URL: http://crms.mubabol.ac.ir/article-1-247-en.html

Probiotics as adjunctive therapy for Alzheimer disease

Olia Hamzeh

, Mehrdad Halaji ^*

Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, I.R. Iran , mehrdad.md69@gmail.com

Abstract: (89 Views)

Probiotics have attracted interest as potential adjunctive interventions for Alzheimer's disease (AD) through their effects on the microbiota–gut–brain axis. This letter critically examines the translational relevance of experimental and clinical evidence, emphasizing the distinction between biological activity and therapeutic efficacy. Preclinical studies report improvements in cognition, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and barrier integrity; however, prophylactic administration and differences between aging models and AD limit clinical extrapolation. Human trials yield inconsistent findings, with some reporting cognitive improvement and others demonstrating biomarker changes without significant cognitive or functional benefit. Variation in disease severity, strain composition, comparator selection, and methodological quality complicates interpretation. Current evidence does not establish a generalizable therapeutic effect or sustained disease modification. Adequately powered, multicenter trials should evaluate defined probiotic preparations alongside standard care, prioritize cognitive and functional outcomes, and assess safety and durability. Integrating longitudinal microbiome and metabolomic analyses may clarify mechanisms and identify patients most likely to benefit.

Article number: 12

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, Probiotics, Microbiota–gut–brain axis, Neuroinflammation, Cognitive function.

Full-Text [PDF 970 kb] (35 Downloads)

Type of Study: Editorial | Subject: میکروبیولوژی
Received: 2026/10/20 | Accepted: 2026/10/21 | Published: 2026/11/2