Effect of Probiotics in Alzheimer's Disease

Evaluation of Clinical Effect of Probiotics in Alzheimer's Disease: a Randomized, Double-blind Clinical Trial

In this clinical trial, five strains of probiotics (Bifidobacterium breve Bv-889, B. longum subspecies infantis BLI-02, B. bifidum VDD088, B. animalis subsp. lactis CP-9, Lactobacillus plantarum PL-02) with anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory functions will been applied to slow down the development of the Alzheimer's disease through regulating the intestinal flora and immune system of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease symptoms. The efficacy of probiotic treatment against Alzheimer's disease will be evaluated.

Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disease that mainly results in dementia. According to statistics, about 60-70% of dementia patients in Taiwan are Alzheimer's patients. Currently, there is no effective medical treatments for Alzheimer's disease. Several drugs and psychotherapy have been developed to attenuate the symptoms of the disease. The initial symptoms of Alzheimer's disease are memory loss of recent events (short-term memory impairment) and the disease can eventually deprive the patient's self-awareness in the late phase. The main factor leading to Alzheimer's disease is rapid apoptosis of neuronal cells in the brain. The neuronal apoptosis is mainly due to abnormal chronic inflammatory reactions and oxidative stress. The gut microbiota-brain axis (GMBA) reflects the two-way communication between the central nervous system (CNS) and the gastrointestinal tract. It has been reported that GMBA dysregulation is closely related to neurodegenerative diseases. Elmira Akbari et al showed that patients with Alzheimer's disease supplemented with both Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus for 12 weeks expressed significantly higher Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores than placebo group. Remarkably, biochemical indicators in the patient's serum, such as C-reactive protein and triglyceride were also improved significantly. However, the clinical study of Elmira Akbari did not further explore the role of Bifidobacterium in controlling Alzheimer's disease. In this clinical trial, patients will be randomly divided into 2 groups: low dose probiotics and normal dose probiotics. All patients will be supplemented with the probiotics for 12 weeks. Their (1) cognitive function, (2) cognitive behavioral ability, (3) sleep status (4) cerebral blood flow (5) blood immune variation spectrum and blood biochemical indicators and (6) variation of fecal flora will be analyze. The therapeutic efficiency of the probiotics will be further evaluated by comparing the changes in data before and after probiotic treatment.

Taking 1 package of low dose probiotic powder (B. breve Bv-889, B. longum subsp. infantis BLI-02, B. bifidum VDD088, B. animalis subsp. lactis CP-9, Lactobacillus plantarum PL-02) twice daily before meals (BIDAC).

Taking 1 package of normal dose probiotic powder (B. breve Bv-889, B. longum subsp. infantis BLI-02, B. bifidum VDD088, B. animalis subsp. lactis CP-9, Lactobacillus plantarum PL-02) twice daily before meals (BIDAC).

The minimum score is 0 and the maximum score is 70. A higher score means more severe cognitive impairment. The change in score before and after probiotic intervention will be evaluated.

The minimum score is 1 and the maximum score is 7. A higher score means more severe mental illness. The change in score before and after probiotic intervention will be evaluated.

The minimum score is 1 and the maximum score is 7. A higher score means more severe mental illness. The change in score before and after probiotic intervention will be evaluated.

Evaluating the score difference of the following 3 indicators before and after probiotic intervention: Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). The minimum score is 0 and the maximum score is 30. A higher score means better cognitive function. Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR). The minimum score is 0 and the maximum score is 3. A higher score means more severe dementia. Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study - Activities of Daily Living (ADCS-ADL). The minimum score is 0 and the maximum score is 54. A higher score means better activities of daily living.

Wrist activity monitors will be used to record the length of the sleep period (hours) before and after the probiotic intervention.

Wrist activity monitors will be used to record the length of wake up (hours) after falling asleep before and after the probiotic intervention.

Wrist activity monitors will be used to record the total sleep time (hours) on the bed before and after the probiotic intervention.

Calculating sleep efficiency based on the length of the sleep period and the total sleep time on the bed recorded by Wrist activity monitors. [(Sleep efficiency = The length of the sleep period/The total sleep time on the bed)*100%]

Using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT/CT) to evaluate the changes in cerebral blood flow before and after probiotic intervention.

Detecting the changes of concentration in blood biochemical indexes, oxidative stress and cytokines before and after probiotic intervention. Detecting the changes of blood RNA level in the immune profile of IgG and IgA before and after the intervention of probiotics.

Using Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) to analyze the changes of fecal flora before and after probiotic intervention.

Inclusion Criteria: The subject is between 50-95 years old. The subject is clinically diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, and it meets the diagnostic criteria of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) and National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Diseases and Stroke/Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association (NINCDS-ADRDB) or National Institute on Aging and Alzheimer's Association (NIAAA). The subject's MMSE score is between 10-25. The subject's CDR score is 0.5, 1, or 2. The subject can cooperate to perform cognitive function tests. The subject who have dependable caregivers who can record the compliance of taking probiotics and any physical conditions. The subject or family members have signed the informed consent form. Exclusion Criteria: The subject is shown to have cerebrovascular disease by computer tomography. The subject has dementia caused by other reasons, such as brain trauma, tumor, infection, epilepsy, etc. The subject has used immunosuppressant drugs, steroids, T cell inhibitor ointments or received chemotherapy within 2 weeks. The subject has consumed probiotic-related products (probiotic powder, yogurt or other fermented foods) within the past 1 month. The subject has participated in clinical trials of other dementia medications in the past 1 month. The subject is assessed for dementia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency or thyroid abnormalities. The subject suffers from mental illness, severe depression, schizophrenia, drug addiction, and alcohol addiction. The subject has Parkinson's disease. The subject is assessed to have severe metabolic dysfunction, liver and kidney dysfunction.