Neurotrophins (BDNF, NGF, Lion’s Mane) — References

Mirrored Reference Dossier

Parent Topic: Neurotrophins (BDNF, NGF, Lion’s Mane) | References Hub: 02 - Compounds & Molecules References MOC

Landmark Peer-Reviewed Studies

Citation: Mori, K., Inatomi, S., Ouchi, K., Azumi, Y., & Tuchida, T. (2009). Improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive impairment: a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. Phytotherapy Research, 23(3), 367–372.
Identifiers: PMID: 18844328 (PubMed · Europe PMC) | DOI: 10.1002/ptr.2634 (DOI · SciDB · Scholar)
Study Design & Sample Size: 16-week randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled trial with a 4-week post-treatment washout observation in Japanese men and women aged 50–80 years diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment ( $N = 30$ ).
Key Quantitative Outcomes: Subjects taking $3, 000 mg/day$ (four $250 mg$ tablets three times daily) of $96%$ purity Hericium erinaceus powder showed statistically significant increases on the Revised Hasegawa Dementia Scale (HDS-R) compared to placebo at week 8 ( $p < 0.01$ ), week 12 ( $p < 0.01$ ), and week 16 ( $p < 0.001$ ), with $71.4%$ of the Lion’s Mane group achieving $\geq 3 -point$ gains vs. $6.7%$ in placebo. Cognitive scores declined significantly 4 weeks after cessation, demonstrating the necessity of ongoing neurotrophic support.

Citation: Jang, S. W., Liu, X., Yepes, M., Shepherd, K. R., Miller, G. W., Liu, Y., Wilson, W. D., Xiao, G., Blanchi, B., Sun, Y. E., & Ye, K. (2010). A selective TrkB agonist with potent neurotrophic activities by 7,8-dihydroxyflavone. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 107(6), 2687–2692.
Identifiers: PMID: 20133810 (PubMed · Europe PMC) | PMCID: PMC2823863 (PMC Full Text) | DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0913572107 (DOI · SciDB · Scholar)
Study Design & Sample Size: High-throughput cell-based screening, Biacore surface plasmon resonance binding kinetics, and in vivo murine neuroprotection/neurogenesis study.
Key Quantitative Outcomes: Identified 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF) as a selective small-molecule agonist of the TrkB receptor ( $K_{d} = 320 nM$ ) that does not bind TrkA, TrkC, or $p75^{NTR}$ . Systemic administration ( $5 mg/kg$ in mice) crossed the blood-brain barrier, provoked cortical and hippocampal TrkB autophosphorylation within $1 - 2 hours$ , reduced kainic acid-induced hippocampal neuronal apoptosis by $> 65%$ ( $p < 0.01$ ), and reduced middle cerebral artery occlusion (stroke) infarct volume by $> 50%$ .

Citation: Martínez-Mármol, R., Chai, Y., Conroy, J. N., Khan, Z., Hong, S. M., Kim, S. B., Gormal, R. S., Lee, D. H., Lee, J. K., Coulson, E. J., Lee, M. K., Kim, S. Y., & Meunier, F. A. (2023). Hericerin derivatives activates a pan-neurotrophic pathway in central hippocampal neurons converging to ERK1/2 mediating spatial memory. Journal of Neurochemistry, 165(6), 791–808.
Identifiers: PMID: 36660878 (PubMed · Europe PMC) | DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15767 (DOI · SciDB · Scholar)
Study Design & Sample Size: Super-resolution microscopy, isolation of pure bioactive meroterpenoids (N-de-phenylethyl isohericerin [NDPIH] and hericene A) from Hericium erinaceus, and murine spatial memory testing.
Key Quantitative Outcomes: NDPIH and hericene A isolated from Hericium erinaceus increased hippocampal axon length by $+ 2 -fold$ and growth cone area by $+ 3 -fold$ at low nanomolar concentrations ( $p < 0.0001$ ). Oral administration of crude extract ( $100 - 250 mg/kg$ ) or purified hericene A ( $5 mg/kg$ ) elevated hippocampal BDNF and TrkB activation via ERK1/2 and significantly enhanced recognition and spatial memory on novel object location and Y-maze tests ( $p < 0.01$ ).

Citation: Stough, C., Lloyd, J., Clarke, J., Downey, L. A., Hutchison, C. W., Rodgers, T., & Nathan, P. J. (2001). The chronic effects of an extract of Bacopa monniera (Brahmi) on cognitive function in healthy human subjects. Psychopharmacology, 156(4), 481–484.
Identifiers: PMID: 11498727 (PubMed · Europe PMC) | DOI: 10.1007/s002130100815 (DOI · SciDB · Scholar)
Study Design & Sample Size: 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in healthy adults ( $N = 46$ ) evaluating $300 mg/day$ standardized Bacopa monnieri extract (CDRI-08, $55%$ combined bacosides).
Key Quantitative Outcomes: While no significant differences were observed at week 5, by week 12 Bacopa monnieri significantly improved speed of visual information processing (Inspection Time task, $p < 0.05$ ), verbal learning rate ( $p < 0.05$ ), delayed word recall memory consolidation on the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT, $p < 0.01$ ), and lowered state anxiety ( $p < 0.001$ ).