Clinical Study 2 1714-Serenitas

Clinical Study 2: 1714-Serenitas® Improves Stress Coping and Memory (Allen et al. 2016) Study Design

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the B. longum 1714-Serenitas® probiotic could affect stress-related behaviour, physiology and cognitive performance of healthy people.

METHOD: This trial in 22 healthy men compared the effects of a four-week daily dose of the 1714-Serenitas® probiotic or placebo on their daily reported stress, psychobiological response to acute stress, and cognitive performance. Brain activity in regions of the brain associated with memory and sustained attention was assessed using an electroencephalography (EEG).

Trial design

Results

A subtle trend for improved visuospatial memory performance was also with 1714-Serenitas® compared placebo. EEG profiles also indicated an association between 1714-Serenitas® intervention and improved memory.

Anxiety after stress

Anxiety significantly increased in the placebo group. No difference in anxiety levels of those taking the 1714-Serenitas® culture

Cortisol output after stress

Significantly lower cortisol output in subjects taking 1714-Serenitas® compared to placebo

Conclusion

The 1714-Serenitas® strain was associated with reduced stress and improved memory, confirming pre-clinical data.

Preclinical Data

Pre-clinical studies demonstrated that the 1714-Serenitas® strain reduces stress-related behaviour and has positive effects on cognitive behaviour (Savignac et al. 2104; 2015)

 

Results

Anxiety level testing in an innately anxious mouse mode: Comparison of intake of either the 1714-Serenitas® strain, another Bifidobacterium strain (B. longum 1205) or a control (escitalopram, a selective serotonin uptake inhibitor).

 

Conclusion

The 1714-Serenitas® strain reduced stress-related behaviour in a strain-dependent manner.