Normative cognition and the effects of a probiotic food intervention in first grade children in Côte d’Ivoire

Abstract

The cognitive skills critical for success have largely been studied in Western populations, despite the fact that children in low- and middle-income countries are at risk to not reach their full developmental potential. Moreover, scientists should leverage recent discovery to explore means of boosting cognition in at-risk populations. This semi-randomized controlled trial examined normative cognitive development and whether it could be enhanced by consumption of a probiotic food in a sample of 251 4- to 7-year-old children in urban schools in Côte d’Ivoire. Participants completed executive functioning measures at baseline (T1) and 5 months later (T2). After T1, children in one school received a probiotic (N = 74) or placebo (N = 79) fermented dairy food every day they were in school for one semester; children in the other school (N = 98) continued their diet as usual. Children improved on all tests across time (Cohen’s d = 0.08–0.30). The effects of probiotic ingestion were inconclusive and are interpreted with caution due to socio-political factors affecting daily administration. Given the general feasibility of the study, we hope that it will serve as an inspiration for future research into child development and sustainable (health-promoting) interventions for school children in developing nations.

Effects of probiotics on neurocognitive outcomes in infants and young children: a meta-analysis

“…Although the duration of treatment varied, most studies had a duration of treatment less than six months except two (> 6 months) ( 17 , 18 ). Three out of the nine studies conducted their assessments immediately after interventions ( 7 , 16 , 18 ), whereas six scheduled follow-up assessment within various post-treatment time frames (i.e., six months after cessation of probiotics treatment) ( 2–6 , 17 ). Four out of the nine studies adopted single strain probiotics ( 2 , 4 , 5 , 7 ) while five used multiple strain probiotics ( 3 , 6 , 16–18 ).…”

“…Three out of the nine studies conducted their assessments immediately after interventions ( 7 , 16 , 18 ), whereas six scheduled follow-up assessment within various post-treatment time frames (i.e., six months after cessation of probiotics treatment) ( 2–6 , 17 ). Four out of the nine studies adopted single strain probiotics ( 2 , 4 , 5 , 7 ) while five used multiple strain probiotics ( 3 , 6 , 16–18 ). The geographic locations of the eligible trials included mainly Southeast Asia ( 6 , 7 , 18 ), Australia and New Zealand ( 2 , 3 , 17 ), and Middle Eas ( 4 , 5 ) with one being conducted in Africa ( 16 ).…”

“…Four out of the nine studies adopted single strain probiotics ( 2 , 4 , 5 , 7 ) while five used multiple strain probiotics ( 3 , 6 , 16–18 ). The geographic locations of the eligible trials included mainly Southeast Asia ( 6 , 7 , 18 ), Australia and New Zealand ( 2 , 3 , 17 ), and Middle Eas ( 4 , 5 ) with one being conducted in Africa ( 16 ). Detailed information about different assessment tools used in each included study is provided in Table 1 and eTable 3 in Supplementary material .…”

“…Some studies also investigated the effects of probiotics on other neurocognitive functions such as attention, memory and processing speed ( 7 , 16 , 17 ). However, the results of those studies were inconsistent ( 2–7 , 16–18 ), while some showed better neurocognitive outcomes ( 7 , 16 ), most reported no significant differences in neurocognitive development between probiotic and placebo groups ( 2–5 ). Some methodological problems (e.g., high dropout rates due to prolonged follow up) ( 2–4 ), and differences in treatment strategies (e.g., duration of treatment and strains of probiotics) in many of those studies may contribute to the observed discrepancy in their findings.…”

“…Several studies have used probiotics in preterm infants to investigate their effects not only on growth and physical health but also on neurocognitive outcomes (2)(3)(4)(5)(6), mainly targeting neurocognitive development. Some studies also investigated the effects of probiotics on other neurocognitive functions such as attention, memory and processing speed (7, 16,17). However, the results of those studies were inconsistent (2-7, 16-18), while some showed better neurocognitive outcomes (7, 16), most reported no significant differences in neurocognitive development between probiotic and placebo groups (2)(3)(4)(5).…”