Tracing the Path between Mushrooms and Alzheimer’s Disease—A Literature Review

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is well-known among neurodegenerative diseases for the decline of cognitive functions, making overall daily tasks difficult or impossible. The disease prevails as the most common form of dementia and remains without a well-defined etiology. Being considered a disease of multifactorial origin, current targeted treatments have only managed to reduce or control symptoms, and to date, only two drugs are close to being able to halt its progression. For decades, natural compounds produced by living organisms have been at the forefront of research for new therapies. Mushrooms, which are well-known for their nutritional and medicinal properties, have also been studied for their potential use in the treatment of AD. Natural products derived from mushrooms have shown to be beneficial in several AD-related mechanisms, including the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and β-secretase (BACE 1); the prevention of amyloid beta (Aβ) aggregation and neurotoxicity; and the prevention of Tau expression and aggregation, as well as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential. Several studies in the literature relate mushrooms to neurodegenerative diseases. However, to the best of our knowledge, there is no publication that summarizes only AD data. In this context, this review aims to link the therapeutic potential of mushrooms to AD by compiling the anti-AD potential of different mushroom extracts or isolated compounds, targeting known AD-related mechanisms.

Investigating the association between inflammation mediated by mushroom consumption and mild cognitive impairment in Chinese older adults

“…29 In addition, mushrooms contain polysaccharides, ergothioneine, ergosterol, polyphenols, and other nutrients, which have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, nerve, and cognitive function protective effects, and can reduce the risk of MCI. 13,30–32…”

Current and further outlook on the protective potential of Antrodia camphorata against neurological disorders

“…Oligomeric and fibrillar beta-amyloid are both toxic to neurons. Aβ-dependent neuronal death can cause changes in cell membrane fluidity and integrity, leading to ion leakage, disruption of cellular calcium balance, decreased membrane potential, ultimately promoting apoptosis and synaptic loss ( Silva et al, 2023 ).…”

Mushroom-derived bioactive components with definite structures in alleviating the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease

“…AD is an intricate neurodegenerative disorder with progressive progression and insidious onset. Although AD was initially documented over a hundred years ago, there is still no established theory to explain its cause, development, and pathogenesis, nor is there a treatment that can effectively stop the progression of the disease or address its root cause ( Silva et al, 2023 ). However, several hypotheses have been proposed to elucidate the origin of AD, including the Aβ cascade, tau, and cholinergic hypotheses.…”