Purpose
Accumulating evidence highlights the importance of microbiota-directed intervention in neuropsychiatric disorders. This study aims to investigate the effects of probiotic supplements as an adjunct therapy in combination with Ritalin in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Design/methodology/approach
Children with ADHD, aged 6–12 years, who had an intelligent quotient of ≥70 were enrolled in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to either the group that received probiotics or the group that received the placebo in addition to the weight-adjusted dose of Ritalin. Parents were asked to complete the revised Conners Parent Rating Scale–short version (CPRS–RS), and the psychiatrist completed the seven-point Clinical Global Impression–Severity (CGI–S) scale. Two study groups were compared in three time points, including T1 (before intervention), T2 (at the end of fourth week) and T3 (at the end of the eighth week).
Findings
A total of 38 participants completed the study. After eight weeks of intervention, the probiotic group had a significant improvement regarding CPRS–RS scores in T2 (9.4 unit, p = 0.014) and T3 (18.6 unit, p < 0.001), compared to placebo. In addition, children in the probiotic group had 0.7 unit lower CGI in T3 (p = 0.018) than the placebo group. A significant reduction of CGI scores was observed in each interval (T2 vs T1, T3 vs T2 and T3 vs T1; p < 0.05). This significant change in CGI score between intervals was also detected in the placebo group in T2 vs T1 (p = 0.002) and T3 vs T1 (p < 0.001). Mean CPRS scores of the groups were different in T2 and T3 (p = 0.011 and p < 0.001, respectively) and mean CGI scores of the two study groups were different in T3 (p = 0.018).
Originality/value
Eight weeks of supplementation with probiotics had a favorable effect on symptoms and severity of ADHD. Therefore, probiotics as an adjuvant treatment might have a promising efficacy regarding the management of ADHD.
The fast spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic and its high mortality were quickly noticed by the health community. B vitamins are essential micronutrients for the body with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-regulating properties. The present study can provide a comprehensive picture of the associations between B vitamins and COVID-19 incidence. This study was undertaken on 9189 adult participants of the Yazd Health Study (YaHS) and Taghzieh Mardom-e-Yazd (TAMIZ) study aged 20 to 69 years. Data on dietary intakes were obtained using a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between B vitamins and COVID-19. Our findings indicated that participants in the fourth quartile of vitamin B5 intake compared to the first quartile had a protective effect against COVID-19 (OR: 0. 53 CI: 0.28– 0.99, p- trend =0.02) after adjustment for all possible confounds in model 3. In addition, participants in the third quartile of vitamin B12 intake compared to the first quartile (OR: 0.63, 95% CI 0.40-0.98, P-trend= 0.11) had fewer odds of COVID-19 after full adjustments for confounders. Our findings indicated no significant relationship between dietary intake of vitamin B1, B2, B3, B9, and B-complex and COVID-19. A higher intake of vitamin B5 could reduce the odds of COVID-19 by 47%, and a moderate intake of vitamin B12 had a protective effect on COVID-19. Although our study has promising results, stronger clinical studies are needed.
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