Cognitive dysfunction encompasses a spectrum of diminished abilities, including memory, computation, and learning, resulting from diverse factors, ranging from cognitive impairments to dementia. Short‑chain fatty acids (SCFA) play a pivotal role in the intricate interplay of the microbiota‑brain‑gut axis (MGBA), mediating the bidirectional communication between the brain and the gut through pathways of inflammation, immunity, and endocrine signaling. This manuscript mainly introduces the clinical researches that investigate the association between SCFA and cognitive dysfunction under various pathological conditions. Additionally, this review also introduces basic researches that investigate the mechanisms underlying the impact of SCFA on cognitive impairment by setting up animal models. The investigation alters the SCFA levels through direct supplementation of SCFA or indirect modulation of SCFA levels within the organism through interventions such as dietary modifications and alterations in gut microbiota composition. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive summary of researches on the correlation of SCFA with cognitive dysfunction in both patients and rodent models to contribute insights for future clinical translational studies in the realm of probiotics and SCFA.