Maitake and the Brain

The study found that long-term consumption of a specific Maitake strain was associated with improved cognitive function metrics among healthy older adults. While this finding is interesting on its own, it becomes even more intriguing when viewed alongside previous studies conducted on models of memory impairment, neurodegenerative diseases, and processes related to nerve cell function.

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So, what is actually known today about Maitake and the brain?

Human Study (2026): Maitake and Memory
The new study included 47 healthy Japanese older adults, aged 60 and above. Participants were randomly divided into three groups and received the mushroom for 18 weeks. Two groups consumed bread containing 50 grams of fresh Maitake daily, but from different strains: Y10M or C5304. The control group received bread without Maitake. The study was randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled.

At the end of the trial period, cognitive function was assessed using the Japanese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-J), a test used to evaluate a range of cognitive abilities, including memory, attention, and other functions.

The outcome was particularly interesting because not all Maitake strains behaved the same way.
In the group that received the Y10M strain, a significant improvement in MoCA-J scores was recorded compared to the placebo group. In contrast, the group that received the C5304 strain showed no significant difference compared to the placebo.

In other words, even in this first clinical study, an important point is revealed: the effect is not necessarily a general characteristic of "Maitake," but may instead depend on the specific strain and the properties of the raw material.

The researchers also examined the activity of NK (Natural Killer) cells, immune system cells responsible for identifying and destroying infected or abnormal cells. An increase in NK cell activity was observed in the Y10M group, and a positive correlation was found between NK activity and cognitive scores.

This finding is especially intriguing as it points to the possibility that the link between Maitake and the brain does not necessarily rely on a direct action on neurons. It is possible that part of the effect is actually related to the immune system and the regulation of communication between the immune system and the nervous system.

However, it is important to keep these results in perspective: this is a relatively small study conducted on healthy individuals for only 18 weeks. It does not prove that Maitake prevents dementia, treats Alzheimer's, or improves memory in general. Additionally, the intervention was highly specific, 50 grams of fresh Maitake from a defined strain, meaning one cannot assume that any Maitake extract or powder will yield the same results. Nevertheless, it serves as a very exciting starting point.
 

What about previous studies?
This study does not exist in a vacuum. Over the years, preclinical research has accumulated, suggesting that Maitake may have various effects on the nervous system.
A 2023 review that summarized the existing literature on Maitake and the nervous system pointed to several key directions:

• Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects

• Influence on processes related to neurogenesis

• Activity related to β-amyloid and neurotrophic effects

It is important to emphasize that most of this evidence comes from in vivo and in vitro studies, rather than clinical trials in humans.
One of the most interesting findings actually comes from a study conducted on Alzheimer's disease.

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Maitake, Microglia, and β-amyloid Clearance
In a study conducted on mouse models of Alzheimer's disease, researchers examined a protein-bound polysaccharide extracted from Maitake, known as PGM. Following prolonged treatment with this component, improvements were observed in learning and memory tests, alongside a reduction in neuronal loss and pathological changes in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. However, perhaps the most interesting finding was related specifically to microglia.

Microglia are the primary immune cells of the nervous system. Their roles include monitoring the brain environment, clearing cellular debris, and removing substances that can accumulate in nervous tissue. In the mouse model, PGM treatment increased microglial activity around β-amyloid plaques and enhanced their ability to perform phagocytosis, meaning to engulf and eliminate the accumulated material. As a result, a decrease in β-amyloid burden was observed in the examined areas.

This is a fascinating finding because it suggests a mechanism that goes beyond the simple concept of "a compound from the mushroom acting directly on brain cells." In this case, part of the activity may actually be linked to the ability of Maitake components to modulate the immune response within the nervous system.

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Pathways Related to Memory Itself Have Also Been Studied
Another study investigated PGM in a model of memory impairment in mice induced by exposure to aluminum chloride. In the mice that received this component, improved performance was observed in the Morris water maze test, along with structural improvements in the hippocampus.

The researchers also examined several pathways related to neural function. It was found that the treatment increased levels of BDNF (a brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the central nervous system) and the expression of AMPAR (a glutamate receptor) in the hippocampus. Simultaneously, it reduced the hyperphosphorylation of tau protein, the very mechanism that leads to protein deposition and the development of Alzheimer's disease.

These findings suggest that Maitake’s potential effect on cognition may not only be linked to the immune system but also to mechanisms directly involved in neuroplasticity. However, clinical studies in humans on this specific topic are still lacking.

Can Maitake directly affect nerve cells themselves?
In cell culture studies, aqueous extracts of Maitake were found to promote the growth of neurites (projections) from nerve cells. These projections are essential for establishing connections between neurons and organizing neural networks. In another study conducted on PC12 cells, an aqueous Maitake extract promoted neurogenesis (the generation of new neurons), and it was found that the MEK/ERK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways were involved in this process.

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Maitake is Not "Lion's Mane"
When discussing mushrooms and the nervous system, Lion's Mane is undoubtedly the most recognized mushroom in the field. One of the primary directions in Lion's Mane research is its effect on neurotrophic pathways, particularly NGF.

Maitake, so far, presents a different picture.
Existing research points to a combination of several directions: modulating immune activity, influencing microglia, mechanisms related to β-amyloid, BDNF, and AMPAR, antioxidant activity, and a potential effect on neurogenesis processes. However, the effects of Lion's Mane remain clearer and much more extensively researched.

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So, what can be said today?
Putting the whole picture together yields an interesting but still preliminary result.

On one hand, we have a randomized, controlled human study in which the consumption of a specific Maitake strain for 18 weeks was accompanied by an improvement in a cognitive metric. This is a significant step beyond mere laboratory studies.

On the other hand, the evidence base remains small. The clinical study included only 47 participants, was conducted on a healthy population, and did not examine individuals with cognitive decline or neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, the positive outcome was specific to the Y10M strain and was not observed with the C5304 strain.

Animal and cell studies add interesting mechanisms to the picture, but they are not yet proof of a clinical effect in humans.

There is also an important question regarding the preparation itself. Maitake is not a single molecule but a complex mushroom containing polysaccharides, proteins, lipids, small compounds, and other components. Therefore, the mushroom strain, the parts of the mushroom used, the extraction method, and the composition of the product may all influence its biological activity.

In other words, it is still too early to call Maitake a "mushroom for memory."
However, it is no longer accurate to say there is no connection at all between Maitake and the nervous system.

The new human study, along with a series of preclinical studies, opens an intriguing window into a direction that has not yet received the same attention as research on Lion's Mane. It is possible that the link between Maitake and brain health does not stem from a single mechanism, but rather from a combined effect on the immune system, neuroinflammation, neuroplasticity, and the brain's ability to cope with aging-related processes.

For now, this remains an interesting research hypothesis, not a clinical conclusion. But sometimes, that is exactly where fascinating science begins...