Updated: Nov 22
Educational summary by Dr. Srinivasa, Medical Advisor, and team. Based on Ishimoto T. (2022), DOI 10.1002/1873-3468.14271. Educational only, no product endorsement.
L-Ergothioneine (EGT) is a naturally occurring amino acid found in trace amounts in foods such as mushrooms, beans, and oats. Research in recent years has explored how this unique nutrient may influence brain health and cognitive performance. In this post, we summarise a 2022 research review article from Kanazawa University on this topic. We will focus on the experiments reported in that paper that showed intriguing connections between EGT, memory, mood, and neuroprotection.
Short Summary of Findings
Here is the TL;DR on EGT and brain health research performed in the study:
Supports Memory: Repeated EGT intake improved memory and learning in humans.
Promotes Neurogenesis: EGT encouraged formation and maturation of new neurons in the hippocampus, a key memory center.
Reduces Neuroinflammation and Oxidative Stress: EGT helped calm overactive microglia and protected neurons from oxidative injury.
Together these findings suggest EGT may play a supportive role in maintaining brain resilience and healthy cognitive aging.
Enhanced Memory and Learning
It can be quite tricky to study how EGT affects humans at a cellular level so scientists studied overall mental performance changes before diving deep into what might cause their observations.
A randomized human study found that 12 weeks of dietary EGT supplement improved verbal memory and reaction time scores compared with people who performed the same tests without any EGT supplement. This is exciting, but it is important to stress that without a cellular level deep dive, this experiment can't be used to claim EGT is the sole reason for improvement. However, the data does suggest EGT can benefit cognitive performance.
Researchers were motivated to dig deeper by results of the human study. It is known that the hippocampus is the brain’s memory hub, responsible for forming and retrieving new information, so a study was performed using a "mus musculus" hippocampus model. In a comparison of hippocampus exposed to dietary EGT and one without, the EGT exposed hippocampus had increased the number of mature synaptic spines which are tiny structures where neurons communicate.
In short: EGT helped the brain’s communication centers work more efficiently, leading to stronger memory signals and sharper learning performance.
Neurogenesis and Neuronal Growth
Healthy brain function relies on neurogenesis, which is the creation of new neurons from stem cells in the hippocampus. When this process slows, memory and mood can decline with age.
In laboratory studies, EGT stimulated neural stem cells to differentiate into neurons and enhanced their maturation through the mTOR-TrkB pathway, a signal route shared by brain-derived neurotrophic factors. Mice fed an EGT-enriched diet showed a greater number of newborn neurons in the hippocampus after just two weeks.
In plain language: EGT encouraged the brain to build new neurons and connections, which is a process linked to memory formation and emotional resilience.
Protection Against Oxidative and Inflammatory Stress
The brain is especially vulnerable to oxidative damage because it uses so much oxygen. Overactive immune cells called microglia can also release harmful oxidants that stress neurons.
Studies show that EGT suppressed reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and reduced activation of microglia in cell models. In animal studies, EGT protected against neurotoxicity from certain proteins and anticancer drugs, restoring antioxidant balance and supporting cell survival.
In other words, in the study EGT acted as a cellular shield, helping brain cells manage stress and reducing the inflammation that can damage memory networks over time.
Conclusion
Cognitive aging is not only about mental sharpness but also about protecting the cells that power our brains. Research to date shows that L-Ergothioneine (EGT) can enter the brain through a special transporter. In the scientific studies we reviewed here, researchers found evidence that EGT can support key processes such as neuronal growth, antioxidant defense, and memory function. While more clinical trials are needed, these findings suggest that dietary sources of EGT could help promote brain resilience and long-term cognitive health.
