Bifidobacterium breve MAK40B22B and Improved Cognitive Function

Research synthesisModerate evidenceMixed effect size3 studies · 3 beneficial · 0 neutral · 0 harmful

Across 3 randomized controlled trials, all 3 reported beneficial effects on cognitive function, with effect sizes ranging from small to large (two small, one large). Studies focused on older adults with mild cognitive impairment or memory complaints. Evidence is preliminary due to the small number of studies.

Studied populations: Older adults with mild cognitive impairment or memory complaints

Caveats: Available evidence is overwhelmingly positive but based on only 3 studies, so conclusions are preliminary. Clinical literature is subject to publication bias (null-result studies are less likely to be published or indexed). Additionally, the exact dose and form used were not consistently reported, and effects were observed primarily on specific cognitive subscales rather than global measures.

Generated Jul 12, 2026

4 of 4 papers

Effect of Probiotic Bifidobacterium breve in Improving Cognitive Function and Preventing Brain Atrophy in Older Patients with Suspected Mild Cognitive Impairment: Results of a 24-Week Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
- 2022-06-28
- RCT · n = 130
- Journal of Alzheimer's Disease 88(1)
- - D. Asaoka
  - Jinzhong Xiao
  - T. Takeda
  - N. Yanagisawa
  - Takahiro Yamazaki
  - Yoichiro Matsubara
  - Hideki Sugiyama
  - Noemi Endo
  - Motoyuki Higa
  - K. Kasanuki
  - Y. Ichimiya
  - S. Koido
  - Kazuya Ohno
  - François Bernier
  - N. Katsumata
  - A. Nagahara
  - H. Arai
  - T. Ohkusa
  - Nobuhiro Sato
- PubMed: 35570493
- DOI: 10.3233/jad-220148
4 Insights on
- Improved Cognitive Function
- High evidence
- Rigorous Journal
- Clinical
Improvement of cognitive function was observed on some subscales scores only likely due to the lower sensitiveness of these tests for MCI subjects.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Significant
Yes
Probiotic Bifidobacterium breve in Improving Cognitive Functions of Older Adults with Suspected Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
- 2020-09-01
- RCT · n = 80
- Journal of Alzheimer's Disease 77(1)
- - Jinzhong Xiao
  - N. Katsumata
  - F. Bernier
  - Kazuya Ohno
  - Yuki Yamauchi
  - T. Odamaki
  - K. Yoshikawa
  - Kumie Ito
  - Toshiyuki Kaneko
- PubMed: 32623402
- DOI: 10.3233/JAD-200488
7 Insights on
- Improved Cognitive Function
- High evidence
- Highly Cited
- Rigorous Journal
- Clinical
RBANS total score was significantly improved in probiotic group compared with placebo... after 16 weeks of consumption, in particular with significant improvement in domain scores of immediate memory, visuospatial/constructional, and delayed memory (p < 0.0001)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Large
Significant
Yes
Effects of Bifidobacterium breve A1 on the cognitive function of older adults with memory complaints: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
- 2019-05-28
- RCT · n = 121
- Beneficial Microbes 10(5)
- - Y. Kobayashi
  - T. Kuhara
  - M. Oki
  - J.‐Z. Xiao
- PubMed: 31090457
- DOI: 10.3920/BM2018.0170
9 Insights on
- Improved Cognitive Function
- High evidence
- Highly Cited
- Clinical
the subscale 'immediate memory' of RBANS and MMSE total score in the subjects with low RBANS total score at baseline.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Significant
Yes
Administration of Bifidobacterium breve Improves the Brain Function of Aβ1-42-Treated Mice via the Modulation of the Gut Microbiome
- 2021-05-11
- Clinical Trial
- Nutrients 13(5)
- - G. Zhu
  - Jianxin Zhao
  - Hao Zhang
  - Wei Chen
  - Gang Wang
- PubMed: 34064762
- DOI: 10.3390/nu13051602
11 Insights on
- Improved Cognitive Function
- Low evidence
- Animal Study
- Clinical
Overall, these findings reveal that *B. breve* CCFM1025 and WX have beneficial effects on cognition via the modulation of the gut microbiome, and thus represent a novel probiotic dietary intervention for delaying the progression of AD.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Large

Bifidobacterium breve MAK40B22B and Improved Cognitive Function

Effect of Probiotic Bifidobacterium breve in Improving Cognitive Function and Preventing Brain Atrophy in Older Patients with Suspected Mild Cognitive Impairment: Results of a 24-Week Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Probiotic Bifidobacterium breve in Improving Cognitive Functions of Older Adults with Suspected Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Effects of Bifidobacterium breve A1 on the cognitive function of older adults with memory complaints: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Administration of Bifidobacterium breve Improves the Brain Function of Aβ1-42-Treated Mice via the Modulation of the Gut Microbiome