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A review of the effects of mushrooms on mood and neurocognitive health across the lifespan.

Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews
March 1, 2024
Sara Cha et al. (4 authors)
Journal ArticleReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to evaluate the effects of Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus) on mood and cognitive function in middle-aged and older adults.

Results Summary

The study found mixed results from intervention studies, with some enhancement of mood and cognitive function observed in middle-aged and older adults. Epidemiological studies suggested benefits of dietary patterns including mushrooms on cognition and mood.

Population

Middle-aged and older adults, both healthy and compromised populations.

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (2)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
dietary patterns that included mushrooms of any species
increase
cognition and mood
both healthy and compromised populations
-
revealed a significant benefit
#1
Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus)
increase
mood and cognitive function
middle-aged and older adults
-
showing some enhancement
#2
Abstract

Mushrooms contain bioactive compounds with documented antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions. Here, we present a systematic evaluation of epidemiological and clinical studies that investigate the role of mushrooms, either as a separate or integral dietary component, on neurocognition and mood. Following a search of four databases, a total of 34 human studies examining the effect of different mushrooms across varying age cohorts and health statuses were selected for inclusion. Epidemiological studies included in this review (n = 24) revealed a significant benefit of dietary patterns that included mushrooms of any species on cognition and mood in both healthy and compromised populations. However, the results obtained from intervention studies (n = 10) were mixed. Studies mainly investigated Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus), showing some enhancement of mood and cognitive function in middle-aged and older adults. Further acute and chronic human intervention studies are needed, using adequate sample sizes, employing appropriately sensitive neurocognitive tests, and investigating a range of dietary mushrooms, to confirm the effects of mushroom supplementation on neurocognition and mood in humans.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
HumansMiddle AgedAgedAgaricalesLongevityAntioxidants
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy65/10
Quality75/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations5
Citations/Year5.0
Relative Citation Ratio2.42
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.50
Weight Score1.38
Normalized Score0.61
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