In a study from The University of Queensland, scientists found an active compound from an edible mushroom that boosts nerve growth and enhances memory.
The team identified new active compounds from the mushroom, Hericium erinaceus.
Extracts from these so-called ‘lion’s mane’ mushrooms have been used in traditional medicine in Asian countries for centuries.
In the study, researchers wanted to scientifically determine their potential effect on brain cells.
Pre-clinical testing found the lion’s mane mushroom had a significant impact on the growth of brain cells and improving memory.
Laboratory tests measured the neurotrophic effects of compounds isolated from Hericium erinaceus on cultured brain cells.
The team found that the active compounds promote neuron projections, extending and connecting to other neurons.
They found the mushroom extract and its active components largely increase the size of growth cones, which are particularly important for brain cells to sense their environment and establish new connections with other neurons in the brain.
The team says the discovery had applications that could treat and protect against neurodegenerative cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease.
The idea was to identify bioactive compounds from natural sources that could reach the brain and regulate the growth of neurons, resulting in improved memory formation.
The properties of lion’s mane mushrooms had been used to treat ailments and maintain health in traditional Chinese medicine since antiquity.
If you care about brain health, please read studies about how the Mediterranean diet could protect your brain health, and Vitamin B supplements could help reduce dementia risk.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about new way to treat Parkinson’s disease, and results showing flavonoid-rich foods could improve survival in Parkinson’s disease.
The study was conducted by Professor Frederic Meunier et al and published in the Journal of Neurochemistry.
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