Probiotics for cognitive and mental health
The invention relates to bacteria of the species Lactobacillus paracasei and/or compositions comprising Lactobacillus paracasei for use in preventing and/or treating a mental illness, a symptom affecting mental health and/or a condition associated with chronic stress, in a mammal. The invention further relates to methods and uses of said bacteria of the species Lactobacillus paracasei and/or compositions. 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 . A method for treating a mental illness or symptom affecting mental health in a mammal in need thereof, wherein:
the method comprises administering to the mammal Lactobacillus paracasei strain Lpc-37, deposited at the DSMZ under deposit number DSM 32661;
the mental illness is selected from a mood disorder, an anxiety disorder and depression; and
the symptom affecting mental health is selected from anxiety, mood swings, depression and reduced cognitive function.
2 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the method comprises treating a mental illness selected from a mood disorder, an anxiety disorder and depression.
3 . The method according to claim 2 , wherein the mental illness results in diminished cognitive function.
4 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the method comprises treating a symptom affecting mental health selected from anxiety, mood swings and depression.
5 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises administering to the mammal bacteria of the Lactobacillus plantarum species.
6 . The method according to claim 5 , wherein the method comprises treating at least one mental illness selected from a mood disorder, an anxiety disorder and depression.
7 . The method according to claim 5 , wherein the method comprises treating at least one symptom affecting mental health selected from anxiety, mood swings and depression.
8 . The method according to claim 5 , wherein the bacteria of the species Lactobacillus plantarum are:
Lactobacillus plantarum strain LP12418, deposited at the DSMZ as DSM 32655, or
Lactobacillus plantarum strain LP12407, deposited at the DSMZ as DSM 32654.
9 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the Lactobacillus paracasei strain Lpc-37 is administered to the mammal as part of a composition in the form of a food product, a dietary supplement or a pharmaceutically acceptable composition.
10 . The method according to claim 9 , wherein the Lactobacillus paracasei strain Lpc-37 is present in the composition in an amount of from 10 6 to 10 12 CFU per dose.
11 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the Lactobacillus paracasei strain Lpc-37 is administered to the mammal as part of a spray dried or freeze-dried composition.
12 . The method according to claim 11 , wherein the composition comprises a cryoprotectant.
13 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the method comprises treating a symptom affecting mental health, and the symptom affecting mental health is diminished cognitive function.