Role of Probiotic Microorganisms in the Brain Plasticity Development

Murugan Mukilan; Rameshbabu Adithya; Senthilkumar Pruthivi

doi:10.18006/2024.12(3).354.365

Authors

Murugan Mukilan Department of Biotechnology, Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts & Science, Coimbatore 641 006, Tamil Nadu, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7627-1275
Rameshbabu Adithya Department of Biotechnology, Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts & Science, Coimbatore 641 006, Tamil Nadu, India https://orcid.org/0009-0005-8266-0305
Senthilkumar Pruthivi Department of Biotechnology, Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts & Science, Coimbatore 641 006, Tamil Nadu, India https://orcid.org/0009-0009-3586-3969

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18006/2024.12(3).354.365

Keywords:

Cognition, Synaptic Plasticity, Probiotics, Reward-based learning paradigm

Abstract

Probiotics are defined as beneficial microorganisms that are responsible for the maintenance of homeostasis mechanisms within the host system, especially in humans. Other than homeostasis, it is also used to improve a host system's cognition, immune functions, and antioxidant levels. Over the past decades, probiotic microorganisms have been used most commonly as traditional fermented foods in our country and some parts of southeast asia. These fermented food products majorly consist of Lactobacillus species, including Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. fermentum, and L. plantarum. The present study explored the potential role of three different lactobacillus strains (L. acidophilus, L. fermentum, and L. Plantarum) in forming brain plasticity changes (BPC) with the help of a cue-based learning paradigm (CBLP). Two staged behavioral studies were conducted for all behavioral analysis groups (BAG) before (without probiotic infusions - WiPI) and after probiotic infusions (with probiotic infusions - WPI) in RBLP. Behavioral responses of the WiPI & WPI phases showed the effect of a stress-free habituated environment in developing BPC and strengthening of BPC by oral infusions of probiotic microorganisms (PM). WiPI and WPI behavioral analysis were used in this study to validate BPC in a laboratory-controlled environment. Infusion of probiotic microorganisms through oral passage may have a more significant impact on the synthesis, production, and transmission of neurotransmitter precursor compounds (NPC) from the gut to the central nervous system (CNS) through the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Increased transmission of the NPC strengthens the formed plasticity changes, which results in the formation of cognitive memory functions. Thus, the present study proved that probiotic microorganisms may play a major role in cognition development through the BPC.

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