Improving Effects of the Mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Double-blind Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial

Authors: Koichiro Mori, Satoshi Inatomi, Kenzi Ouchi, Yoshihito Azumi, and Takashi Tuchida

Journal: Phytotherapy Research

Study Design: Double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled trial

Participants: 30 Japanese men and women aged 50 to 80 with mild cognitive impairment

Trial Length: 22 weeks (2 weeks preliminary examination, 16 weeks intervention, 4 weeks follow-up)

Intervention:

• Yamabushitake group (n = 14): 4 tablets containing 96% Yamabushitake dry powder three times a day
• Placebo group (n = 15)

Primary Outcomes: Cognitive function scale based on the Revised Hasegawa Dementia Scale (HDS-R)

Summary: The study investigated the effects of Yamabushitake (Lion’s Mane mushroom) on mild cognitive impairment. The results showed that the Yamabushitake group had significantly increased scores on the cognitive function scale compared to the placebo group at weeks 8, 12, and 16 of the trial. However, the scores decreased significantly 4 weeks after stopping the intake. The study suggests that Yamabushitake may be effective in improving mild cognitive impairment, but its effects are reversible and require continuous intake. No adverse effects were observed.