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In 2008 a Japanese research team headed by Koichi Mori reported the results of a randomised placebo-controlled clinical trial
where 30 Japanese men and women between the ages of fifty and eighty suffering from mild cognitive disorders (poor memory) were administered
with a variety of mushroom called Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus). The trial was spread over 16 weeks, with the candidates divided into two
15-person groups, one group being given a placebo.
The test applied was the revised Hasegawa Dementia Scale. At weeks 8, 12, and 16 of the
trial the group taking the mushroom tablets showed significantly increased scores on the cognitive function scale compared with the placebo
group. Four weeks after the trial had ended and the mushrooms were no longer being administered the scores decreased significantly, but not to
baseline. Lion’s Mane (also called Yamabushitake or Hericium erinaceus) is a mushroom that grows on both living and dead broadleaf trees.
It has long been used as a food in China and Japan with no reports of any adverse effects. It contains hericinones and erinacones shown to
be capable of promoting nerve growth factor (NGF) synthesis in cultured astrocytes (astrocytes are a major type of brain cell). The resulting
neurite outgrowth helps intercell connections, indispensable to cognitive function.
 The well known revised Hasegawa Dementia Scale is a 30 point scale and the candidates scored 22-25 points on this scale at entry to the trial,
during which period other potentially cognitive impairment alleviating drugs and other foods (e.g. DHA and ginko biloba) were withheld. Since
HDS is largely a verbal scale, a drawing test was added to evaluate visuospatial and constructional functions. Between group comparison at each
time point was evaluated with Student’s unpaired t-test.
The results showed that 11 of the mushroom group increased their HDS score by 3 or more points (1 in the control group) and 4 increased their HDS score by 2 points (1 in the control group).
These mushrooms are low in calories and rich in fibre, and thus safe especially for elderly people with diabetes, hyperlipemia and arteriosclerosis.
Although we make no medical claims for Asphalia for Natural Memory, (which is grown and processed entirely in the UK), we note that at present acetylcholase inhibitors such as donepezil hydrochloride are favoured as therapeutic agents for Alzheimers disease, a condition involving the mutation of amygdaloid protein, presenelin-1 and -2 genes, and that foods which promote NGF synthesis may have a role in alleviating the progression of Alzheimer’s.
Further resources
You can order Asphalia for Natural Memory here.
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