The effects of microbiome-targeted therapy on cognitive impairment and postoperative cognitive dysfunction-A systematic review.

Background: The gut-brain axis involves bidirectional communication between the gut-microbiota and central nervous system. This study aimed to investigate whether probiotics and/or prebiotics, known as Microbiome-targeted Therapies (MTTs), improve cognition and prevent postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD).

Methods: Relevant animal and human studies were identified using a systematic database search (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science), focusing on the effects of MTTs on inflammation, perioperative and non-perioperative cognitive impairment.