Scientists in Australia Claim to Have Found New Ways to Boost Memory
There have been several research to understand ways to boost memory. While researchers have been working on several natural ingredients, it seems they have managed to find one. Scientists in Australia have found a new active compound in an edible mushroom – Hericium Erinaceus – which can be helpful in increasing memory power.
As per the researchers of the University of Queensland, edible Lion’s Mane mushrooms have been found in the pre-clinical test that they have a significant impact on the growth of human brain cells.
Researchers are of the view that the new finding can be helpful in treating Alzheimer’s disease. Professor Frederic Meunier from the Queensland Brain Institute said that the extract of lion’s mane mushrooms has been traditionally used in some Asian countries as medicine.
“The active compounds in the mushroom have been in use for centuries. But we wanted to scientifically determine the potential of these extracts on brain cells,” Meunier added.
“Pre-clinical testing has shown a significant impact of lion’s mane mushroom on the growth of brain cells and improving memory. Laboratory tests measured the neurotrophic effects of compounds isolated from Hericium erinaceus on cultured brain cells, and surprisingly we found that the active compounds promote neuron projections, extending and connecting to other neurons,” Professor Meunier added.
Researchers used super-resolution microscopy to find that the extract of mushrooms and their active components can increase the size of growth cones. It is to be noted that the size of growth cones is extremely important for brain cells to establish new connections with other neurons in the brain.
Co-author of the study, Dr Ramon Martinez-Marmol feels that the new discovery can be helpful in protecting patients against neurodegenerative cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Traditional Chinese medicines in China have been using Lion’s mane mushrooms to treat ailments and maintain health.
