An open label trial of a standardized extract of cultured Lentinula edodes mycelia (ECLM) in children with refractory epilepsy

Authors: Natalia V. Mikhailichenko, Viacheslav Kulagin, Takuma Shio, Jun Takanari, James Cheng-Chung Wei

Journal: Functional Foods in Health and Disease

Study Design: Open-label trial

Participants: 18 pediatric patients (11 males and 7 females) aged 1-7 years old (mean age 4.7) with refractory epilepsy

Intervention: The patients received 0.6 g/day (for children under 3 years old) or 1.2 g/day (for children 3 years or older) of ECLM orally for one month.

Outcome Measures:

• Changes in immunological markers (IgA, IgG, IgM, leukocytes, lymphocytes, CD3, CD4, CD8, and CD20 lymphocytes, CD4/CD8 ratio, CD HLADR, phagocytic index, and circulating immune complex)
• Alterations of video electroencephalogram (EEG)
• Frequency of seizures
• Incidence rate of secondary infections
• Improvement of quality of life (fatigue, sleep, and appetite)
• Safety assessment

Summary: The study investigated the effects of ECLM on immunological markers, seizure frequency, and quality of life in children with refractory epilepsy. The results showed that ECLM treatment led to a significant increase in several immune parameters, including IgG, CD3, CD4, and CD20 lymphocytes, and phagocytic index. Six out of 18 children experienced a reduction in seizure frequency and severity. The ECLM-treated patients also showed less sharp and spike activity in EEG measurements. Furthermore, the incidence of secondary infections decreased, and the children’s families reported improvements in behavior and quality of life. The study concluded that ECLM may contribute to improving epileptic manifestations and decreasing seizure frequency, possibly by suppressing the reactivation of herpes virus and improving the immune response