Verified research record · Human RCT
Investigating the efficacy of ergothioneine to delay cognitive decline in mild cognitively impaired subjects: A pilot study
Yau YF et al. · Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease · 2024
- Population
- Adults aged 60+ with mild cognitive impairment
- Participants
- 19
- Intervention
- 25 mg, three times weekly
- Duration
- 1 year
- Topics
- Human, Cognitive, Safety
- PMID
- 39544014
- DOI
- 10.1177/13872877241291253
Key finding
The ergothioneine group improved on a learning assessment and showed a different neurofilament-light trajectory than placebo; routine blood, kidney and liver safety markers did not change.
Important limitations
Very small pilot sample; exploratory outcomes; not adequate to establish prevention or treatment of cognitive decline.
Editorial interpretation
A useful signal for larger trials—not evidence that ergothioneine prevents dementia or treats cognitive impairment.
Funding and conflicts
See the publication’s complete funding and conflict disclosures.