MedPath

Effects of Hericium Erinaceus on Microbiota and Cognition

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Cognitive Decline, Mild
Registration Number
NCT04939961
Lead Sponsor
University of Primorska
Brief Summary

The study evaluates the effects of Hericium erinaceus on microbiota, cognition, and other health parameters in older adults. All measurements will be performed at baseline and ten weeks after daily consumptions of either Hericium erinaceus or placebo.

Detailed Description

Hericium erinaceus, a well-known edible mushroom, has numerous biological activities. Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) is a mushroom that grows on both living and dead broadleaf trees. Yamabushitake is used as food in Japan and China. Hericenones and erinacines stimulate nerve growth factor synthesis, and therefore it is expected that H. erinaceus have some effects on brain functions and autonomic nervous system. Hericium was tested in several applications, such as dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, neuropathy and neurasthenia. The ancient Chinese knew about these possibilities and used it to support mental functions and memory, concentration. It is also very good for various digestive problems, such as gastritis, stomach ulcers, heartburn, reflux and improvement of digestion.

Therefore, the aim of our study is to evaluate the effects of Hericium erinaceus on microbiota, cognition and related parameters in elderly. The stool samples will be taken at baseline and after ten weeks of daily consumption of Hericium erinaceus or placebo. In addition, cognitive tests, anthropometric measurements, and blood analysis (lipid profile, glucose levels and neurotrophic factors) will be measured at the same time points.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
40
Inclusion Criteria
  • age 55 - 75 years
Exclusion Criteria
  • neurodegenerative disease
  • organ transplantation
  • allergy to fungi
  • antibiotic consumption in the previous 3 months

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Assessment of the microbial community composition in feces samples using next-generation sequencingChange from Baseline Microbiota composition at 10 weeks.

For the assessment of the microbial community composition, DNA will be extracted from the frozen faecal samples (1-2 gram) with the commercial DNA Stool Mini Kit. A comparison of microbiota among treatments will be done with a meta-barcoding approach using ribosomal RNA markers with modified primers.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
cognitive functionChange from baseline Cognitive function at 10 weeks.

Test of perception speed patterns, Test of series

brain derived neurotrophic factorChange from baseline Brain derived neurotrophic factor levels at 10 weeks.

serum level measured with ELISA assay

neuropeptide YChange from baseline Neuropeptide Y levels at 10 weeks.

serum level measured with ELISA assay

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences

🇸🇮

Izola, Slovenia

University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences
🇸🇮Izola, Slovenia
© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath