Faculty Sponsor

Jana Stedman

College

College of Nursing & Health Professions (CONHP)

Department/Program

Physician Assistant Program

Presentation Type

Poster Presentation

Symposium Date

Summer 7-23-2025

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to investigate whether probiotic supplementation can improve symptoms of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents.

Methods: A literature review was conducted using databases such as Google Scholar and PubMed. Keywords included “ADHD in children,” “probiotics,” “gut microbiome,” and related combinations. Studies were included if they focused on children or adolescents diagnosed with ADHD, utilized probiotic supplementation, and compared outcomes to conventional first-line therapies (e.g., stimulants such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) or non-stimulants like atomoxetine (Strattera)) or utilized probiotics as monotherapy. Studies focusing on adults or included participants with other psychiatric disorders were excluded. The primary outcome of interest was a change in ADHD symptom severity as measured by different standardized rating scales.

Results: Findings indicate that probiotic supplementation alone, as a monotherapy, does not produce statistically significant improvements in ADHD symptoms (Liang et al; Skott et al). However, when probiotics are used alongside standard pharmacological treatments, several studies report a reduction in symptom severity (Sepehrmanesh et al; Ghanaatgar et al; Elhossiny et al). This suggests a potential synergistic effect when probiotics are used as an adjunct to conventional therapies.

Conclusion: While probiotics alone may not significantly impact ADHD symptoms, they appear to enhance outcomes when combined with first-line medications. Given their low risk and ease of use, probiotic supplements may serve as a valuable adjunctive treatment for children and adolescents managing ADHD.

Keywords: ADHD, probiotics, children, gut-brain axis, adjunct therapy, symptom management

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