Edible mushrooms improve memory

Researchers have found that lion’s mane mushroom improves brain cell growth and memory in preclinical trials. (Credit: Bruce Block, Getty Images)

Researchers at the University of Queensland have discovered an active compound in an edible mushroom that speeds up nerve growth and improves memory.

Professor Frédéric Meunier of the Queensland Brain Institute said the team had identified new active compounds from the fungus Hericium erinaceus.

Researchers have found that lion’s mane mushrooms improve brain cell growth and enhance memory in preclinical trials. UQ image.

“Extracts from these so-called ‘lion’s mane’ mushrooms have been used in Asian traditional medicine for centuries, but we wanted to scientifically determine their potential effect on brain cells,” said Professor Meunier.

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“Preclinical testing has shown that lion’s mane mushroom has a significant effect on brain cell growth and improved memory.

“Laboratory tests measured the neurotrophic effects of compounds isolated from Hericium erinaceus on cultured brain cells, and surprisingly, we found that active compounds promote neuronal projection, expansion, and connection with other neurons.

“Using ultra-high resolution microscopy, we found that the mushroom extract and its active ingredients significantly increase the size of growth cones, which are especially important for brain cells to sense their surroundings and make new connections with other neurons in the brain.”

The traditional medicinal mushroom Hericium erinaceus is known for enhancing peripheral nerve regeneration by targeting the neurotrophic activity of nerve growth factor (NGF). (CREDIT: Journal of Neurochemistry)

Co-author Dr. Ramon Martinez-Marmol of UQ said the discovery could be applied to treat and protect against neurodegenerative cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s.

“Our idea was to identify biologically active compounds from natural sources that could reach the brain and regulate neuronal growth, leading to improved memory formation,” said Dr. Martinez-Marmol.

Dr. De Hee Li of CNGBio, who supported and collaborated on the research project, said that the properties of lion’s mane mushrooms have been used to treat illness and maintain health in traditional Chinese medicine since ancient times.

Extracts purified from Lion’s Mane Mushroom (LMM) have a neurotrophic effect on the growth cone. Hippocampal neurons were cultured in the presence of FBS (5%) for 24 h, starved before treatment with the indicated extracts in DIV3. (CREDIT: Journal of Neurochemistry)

“This important study uncovers the molecular mechanism of lion’s mane mushroom compounds and their effects on brain function, especially memory,” said Dr. Li.

The study was published in the Journal of Neurochemistry.

UQ is grateful for the joint efforts of researchers from Gachon University of the Republic of Korea and Chungbuk National University.

For more science news, visit our New Discoveries section at The bright side of the news.

Note: Materials provided above by the University of Queensland. Content can be edited for style and length.

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