Enhancing Cognitive Health with Ergothioneine: A Neuroprotective Approach in Aging Adults
Cognitive decline is a significant concern as populations age, making the search for effective interventions crucial. A pilot study explored the impact of ergothioneine, a dietary compound, on mild cognitive impairment in older individuals. The research involved participants who received either ergothioneine or a placebo over one year, assessing their cognitive abilities and biomarkers linked to neurodegeneration.
Participants who took ergothioneine showed improved cognitive functions, particularly in memory and learning, as measured by the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test. Moreover, their neurofilament light chain levels—a marker of neuronal damage—remained stable, suggesting a protective effect against cognitive decline. In contrast, those in the placebo group did not exhibit these benefits, indicating the potential of ergothioneine as a neuroprotective agent.
These findings contribute to the understanding of how specific dietary supplements can support cognitive health in the elderly. The safety profile of ergothioneine, confirmed by stable clinical safety markers throughout the study, underscores its potential as a safe supplement for long-term use to combat cognitive impairment.
Article Information
Published in Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. Yu Fung Yau et al.
Abstract
Background: Dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease, is a major healthcare challenge in ageing societies.
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of a dietary compound, ergothioneine, in delaying cognitive decline in older individuals.
Methods: Nineteen subjects aged 60 or above with mild cognitive impairment were recruited for this double-blinded, randomized, and placebo-controlled study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03641404, registration date: 19/08/2018). Subjects received either ergothioneine (25 mg per capsule) or a placebo, taken 3 times a week for one year. The whole blood profile, markers of renal and liver functions, neurocognitive performance, plasma levels of ergothioneine and its metabolites, and plasma biomarkers related to neurodegeneration were measured across the study.
Results: Ergothioneine intake did not alter clinical safety markers (blood counts, kidney and liver function) throughout the study, further validating its safety for human consumption. Subjects receiving ergothioneine demonstrated improved performance in assessment of learning ability and stabilized plasma levels of neurofilament light chain, compared with the placebo group, which saw no improvement in cognitive assessments and a significant increase in neurofilament light chain levels.
Conclusions: Prolonged intake of ergothioneine showed no toxicity in elderly people. Enhanced Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test performance and stabilized neurofilament light chain levels suggest improvements in memory and learning abilities and a deceleration of neuronal damage, respectively. Our results add to existing data that ergothioneine is safe for extended consumption and may hold the potential to delay cognitive decline in elderly adults.
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