Effects of Hericium Erinaceus on Microbiota and Cognition (HE)
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ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04939961 |
Recruitment Status :
Completed
First Posted : June 25, 2021
Last Update Posted : March 1, 2023
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Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
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Cognitive Decline, Mild | Dietary Supplement: Hericium erinaceus Dietary Supplement: Placebo | Not Applicable |
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.
Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Actual Enrollment : | 40 participants |
Allocation: | Randomized |
Intervention Model: | Parallel Assignment |
Intervention Model Description: | Randomized placebo controlled |
Masking: | Double (Participant, Investigator) |
Masking Description: | Placebo and experimental capsules (A and B) were prepared by collaborator-investigator (MycoMedica). Both experimental and placebo capsules appear similar to each other in terms of colour, flavour, size, and shape to make sure that they cannot be distinguished. Information about capsules will be provided to participants and investigators at the end of the trial. |
Primary Purpose: | Prevention |
Official Title: | Effects of Hericium Erinaceus on Microbiota and Cognition in Older Adults |
Actual Study Start Date : | June 18, 2021 |
Actual Primary Completion Date : | September 20, 2021 |
Actual Study Completion Date : | December 20, 2022 |
Arm | Intervention/treatment |
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Experimental: Hericium erinaceus
8 gram of mushroom Hericium erinaceus (containing 5 milligram of erinacines) per day
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Dietary Supplement: Hericium erinaceus
6 capsules per day, 3 times two after breakfast, lunch and dinner |
Placebo Comparator: Placebo capsule
8 gram of allergen free corn starch per day
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Dietary Supplement: Placebo
6 capsules per day, 3 times two after breakfast, lunch and dinner |
- Assessment of the microbial community composition in feces samples using next-generation sequencing [ Time Frame: Change 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.
- cognitive function [ Time Frame: Change from baseline Cognitive function at 10 weeks. ]Test of perception speed patterns, Test of series
- brain derived neurotrophic factor [ Time Frame: Change from baseline Brain derived neurotrophic factor levels at 10 weeks. ]serum level measured with ELISA assay
- neuropeptide Y [ Time Frame: Change from baseline Neuropeptide Y levels at 10 weeks. ]serum level measured with ELISA assay

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Ages Eligible for Study: | 55 Years to 75 Years (Adult, Older Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | Yes |
Inclusion Criteria:
- age 55 - 75 years
Exclusion Criteria:
- neurodegenerative disease
- organ transplantation
- allergy to fungi
- antibiotic consumption in the previous 3 months

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT04939961
Slovenia | |
University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences | |
Izola, Slovenia, 6310 |
Responsible Party: | Zala Jenko Praznikar, assoc. prof., University of Primorska |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT04939961 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
Hericium erinaceus |
First Posted: | June 25, 2021 Key Record Dates |
Last Update Posted: | March 1, 2023 |
Last Verified: | February 2023 |
Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement: | |
Plan to Share IPD: | No |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product: | No |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product: | No |
Cognitive Dysfunction Cognition Disorders Neurocognitive Disorders Mental Disorders |