PROBIOTICS FOR COGNITIVE AND MENTAL HEALTH
The invention relates to novel bacteria of the species Lactobacillus plantarum and to compositions comprising Lactobacillus plantarum , and methods and uses of said compositions for preventing and/or treating mental illness, symptoms affecting mental health and/or conditions associated with chronic stress, in a mammal. The invention can be applied in restoring, maintaining, and/or promoting mental (including cognitive) health and has potential applications, inter alia, in the area of dietary and food supplements, medicaments and pharmaceuticals.
1 - 3 . (canceled)
4 . The method according to claim 15 , wherein the composition comprises Lactobacillus plantarum is strain LP12418 deposited with the DSMZ under deposit number DSM 32655 on Sep. 27, 2017.
5 . The method according to claim 15 , wherein the composition comprises Lactobacillus plantarum is strain LP12407 deposited with the DSMZ under deposit number DSM 32654 on Sep. 27, 2017.
6 . A composition, wherein:
the composition is in the form of a food product, dietary supplement, pharmaceutical composition or medicament; and
the composition comprises:
Lactobacillus plantarum strain LP12418 deposited with the DSMZ under deposit number DSM 32655 on Sep. 27, 2017, or
Lactobacillus plantarum strain LP12407 deposited with the DSMZ under deposit number DSM 32654 on Sep. 27, 2017.
7 . The composition according to claim 6 , wherein the composition comprises Lactobacillus plantarum strain LP12407 deposited with the DSMZ under deposit number DSM 32654 on Sep. 27, 2017.
8 . The composition according to claim 6 , wherein the composition further comprises another bacterial strain.
9 . The composition according to claim 8 , wherein the other bacterial strain is of the species, Lactobacillus paracasei.
10 . The composition according to claim 6 , wherein the composition comprises:
Lactobacillus plantarum strain LP12418 deposited with the DSMZ under deposit number DSM 32655 on Sep. 27, 2017,
Lactobacillus plantarum strain LP12407 deposited with the DSMZ under deposit number DSM 32654 on Sep. 27, 2017, and
Lactobacillus paracasei strain Lpc-37, deposited with the DSMZ under deposit number DSM 32661 on Oct. 5, 2017.
11 . (canceled)
12 . The composition according claim 6 , wherein the composition is a spray dried or freeze-dried composition.
13 . The composition according to claim 12 , wherein the composition comprises a cryoprotectant.
14 . The composition according to claim 6 , wherein:
the composition is in unit dosage form, and
the Lactobacillus plantarum strain is present in the composition in an amount between 10 6 and 10 12 CFU per unit dose.
15 . A method for preventing and/or treating mental illness, a symptom affecting mental health and/or a condition associated with chronic stress in a mammal in need thereof, wherein the method comprises administering to the mammal the composition according to claim 6 .
16 . A method for normalising gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) type 2 expression in response to stress in a mammal in need thereof, wherein the method comprises administering to the mammal the composition according to claim 6 .
17 . The method according to claim 15 , wherein:
the method comprises a method for treating and/or preventing mental illness; and
the mental illness is a mood disorder, an anxiety disorder and/or depression.
18 . The method position according to claim 15 , wherein:
the method comprises a method for treating and/or preventing a symptom affecting mental health; and
the symptom affecting mental health is anxiety, mood swings and/or depression.
19 . The method according to claim 15 , wherein:
the method comprises a method for treating and/or preventing a mental illness and/or a symptom affecting mental health,
the mental illness results in diminished cognitive function, and
the symptom affecting mental health is diminished cognitive function.
20 . The method according to claim 15 , wherein:
the method comprises a method for treating and/or preventing a condition associated with chronic stress, and
the condition associated with chronic stress is a gastrointestinal disorder.
21 . The method according to claim 20 , wherein the gastrointestinal disorder is irritable bowel syndrome.
22 . The composition according to claim 6 , wherein the composition comprises Lactobacillus plantarum LP12418 deposited with the DSMZ under deposit number DSM 32655 on Sep. 27, 2017.
23 . The composition according to claim 8 , wherein the other bacterial strain is Lactobacillus paracasei Lpc-37, deposited with the DSMZ under deposit number DSM 32661 on Oct. 5, 2017.
24 . A method for preventing and/or treating mental illness, a symptom affecting mental health and/or a condition associated with chronic stress in a mammal in need thereof, wherein the method comprises administering to the mammal the composition according to claim 23 .
25 . A method for preventing and/or treating mental illness, a symptom affecting mental health and/or a condition associated with chronic stress in a mammal in need thereof, wherein the method comprises administering to the mammal the composition according to claim 10 .