Paper card · curated
Improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive impairment
Mori K, Inatomi S, Ouchi K, Azumi Y, Tuchida T
Phytotherapy Research · 2009
Abstract excerpt
Hericium erinaceus is a culinary and medicinal mushroom containing hericenones with documented nerve-growth-factor (NGF) inducing activity in vitro. This double-blind placebo-controlled trial enrolled 30 Japanese adults aged 50-80 with mild cognitive impairment. Subjects received 3×250 mg of lion's mane powder three times daily for 16 weeks, followed by 4 weeks of washout. Cognitive function (Hasegawa Dementia Scale) improved significantly in the treatment group during the 16-week dosing period. The improvement diminished within 4 weeks of discontinuation, suggesting the effect requires continued exposure.
Excerpt from the published abstract. Full paper at the journal link below.
Joe's notes
How to read this paper
The most-cited human study on lion's mane and cognition. Note the dose (~750 mg/day fruit-body powder), the duration (12-16 weeks), and the reversibility on discontinuation. Smaller study, real signal — but needs replication at this scale.
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