•  
  •  
 

DOES LION’S MANE ENHANCE COGNITIVE FUNCTION IN YOUNG ATHLETIC POPULATIONS?

Abstract

James Connaghan, Branson Bennet, Mathew Ellison, Robyn York. Montreat College, Montreat, NC.

BACKGROUND: Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) is an edible fungus thought to improve overall cognitive behavior, including enhanced focus, memory, and reaction times. The supplement is widely used and studied in Alzheimer’s patients, but little consideration has been given to Lion’s Mane as an ergogenic aid in younger athletic populations. The purpose of this study will be to determine whether athletes taking Lion’s Mane will show improved cognitive function, memory, and reaction times. METHODS: 15 college-aged, physically trained subjects will be recruited. At baseline subjects will undergo the Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT) to quantify cognitive function, the Short-Term Memory Test (STMT) to quantify memory and focus, and the Human Benchmark Reaction Time test (HBRT) to quantify reaction time. Subjects will be given the Lion’s Mane supplement to take for 10 days prior to a second testing session, when baseline measures will be repeated. ANTICIPATED RESULTS: We anticipate subjects to show improvement in all three tests after supplementation, as indicated by increased CCAT and STMT scores, and decreased HBRT.

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS