Prevention of Early Alzheimer’s Disease by Erinacine A-Enriched Hericium erinaceus Mycelia Pilot Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of three H. erinaceus mycelia (EAHE) capsules (350 mg/capsule; containing 5 mg/g erinacine A active ingredient) per day for the treatment of patients with mild Alzheimer's Disease (AD).Methods: This study comprised a 3-week no-drug screening period, followed by a 49-week double-blind treatment period with 2-parallel groups in which eligible patients were randomized to either three 5 mg/g EAHE mycelia capsules per day or identical appearing placebo capsules. Cognitive assessments, ophthalmic examinations, biomarker collection, and neuroimaging were followed throughout the study period.Results: After 49 weeks of EAHE intervention, a significant decrease in Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument score was noted in the placebo group, a significant improvement in Mini-Mental State Examination score was observed in the EAHE group and a significant Instrumental Activities of Daily Living score difference were found between the two groups. In addition, EAHE group achieved a significantly better contrast sensitivity when compared to the placebo group. Moreover, only the placebo group observed significantly lowered biomarkers such as calcium, albumin, apolipoprotein E4, hemoglobin, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor and significantly elevated alpha1antichymotrypsin and amyloid-beta peptide 1-40 over the study period. Using diffusion tensor imaging, the mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values from the arcuate fasciculus region in the dominant hemisphere significantly increased in the placebo group while no significant difference was found in the EAHE group in comparison to their baselines. Moreover, ADC values from the parahippocampal cingulum region in the dominant hemisphere significantly decreased in the EAHE group whereas no significant

Neuroprotective Metabolites of Hericium erinaceus Promote Neuro-Healthy Aging

“…Moreover, cerebellum, other than prefrontal cortex, appeared as a good predictor of locomotor performance declines during aging, suggesting that forthcoming investigations, focusing on this area and its relationship with age-related disorders pathogenesis, would be especially enlightening. The present findings are consistent with the well-established role of H. erinaceus as the "choice" medicinal mushroom capable of (i) promoting positive brain and nerve health-related activities by inducing the nerve growth factor from its bioactive ingredient [94]; (ii) impacting on inflammation typically linked to age-related neurodegenerative disease, i.e., ischemic stroke, Parkinson's and Alzheimer disease, mainly acting in specific brain areas, i.e., cerebellum and cortex [32,94,95]; (iii) minimizing the oxidative stress-related consequences characteristics of brain aging and neurodegenerative disorders [83]; (iv) reducing anxiety and depressive behaviors by promoting hippocampal neurogenesis in the adult mouse [96].…”

Medicinal Mushrooms: Bioactive Compounds, Use, and Clinical Trials

“…Regardless, this fungal species has proved to be very useful in improving average cognitive impairment. Additionally, on the side of these promising results, Li et al [ 110 ] wished to test the efficacy of this mushroom in the treatment of early Alzheimer’s disease. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study, three capsules of H .…”

Neuroprotective Herbs for the Management of Alzheimer’s Disease

“…In another small, randomized study involving patients with mild AD, Lm extract improved scores on the activities of daily living (e.g., personal hygiene, dressing, preparing food, etc.) over 49 weeks [ 132 ]. Thus, the abovementioned pre-clinical and clinical results suggest that lion’s mane is a well-tolerated and safe herb for the management of AD.…”