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Neuroscience/Nutrition and the Brain (Poster Session)

(P09-010-25) Effects of Mushrooms Produced to Contain Vitamin D2 on Self-Reported Indexes of Brain Health and Performance-Based Measures of Cognitive Function in 30-66 Year-Old Adults

Saturday, May 31, 2025
12:45 PM - 1:45 PM ET
Location: Poster Board B-14

    Presenting Author(s)

  • EG

    Emily Glover, MS

    Graduate Research Assistant
    Purdue University
    West Lafayette, Indiana, United States

    • Co-Author(s)

  • Wayne W. Campbell, PhD

    Professor
    Purdue University
    Center on Aging and the Life Course
    West Lafayette, Indiana, United States

  • Luz M. Comboni, B.S.

    Graduate Research Assistant
    Purdue University
    West Lafayette, Illinois, United States

  • DF

    Dan Foti

    Purdue University, Indiana, United States

  • SN

    Skye C. Napolitano

    Purdue University, United States

Disclosure(s):
Emily Glover, MS: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.
Luz M. Comboni, B.S.: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.


Objectives: Limited research suggests that edible mushrooms may benefit indexes of brain health. This study aimed to assess the chronic effects of consuming fresh Agaricus bisporus (cremini mushrooms) produced to contain ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) on indexes of anxiety, depression, cognitive function, and overall well-being in middle-aged and older adults.

Methods: For 6 weeks, adults (n=41 (19 M/22 F), age 43 ± 11 y; BMI 29.8 ± 5.9 kg/m2, mean ± SD) without severe depression, cardiovascular disease, or Type 2 Diabetes consumed two servings/d (168 g/d wet weight) of cremini mushrooms produced to contain 400 IU/serving (800 IU/d) of vitamin D2 (n=20) or 1 tsp of breadcrumbs 2x/d (control, n=21). Testing occurred between late fall and winter months to avoid confounding effects from seasonal vitamin D3 synthesis. Baseline (week 0) and week 6 outcomes included General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI-II), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Profile of Mood States (POMS), Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS), and Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey Version 2 (SF36v2).

Results: Consuming mushrooms produced to contain vitamin D2, compared to control, decreased (improved) self-reported intensity of depressive symptoms (BDI-II: baseline M=0.25, SD=0.51 arbitrary units (au) and week 6 M=0.20, SD=0.45 au; group-by-time p=0.047). Independent of mushroom consumption, immediate memory improved over time among all participants (RBANS list learning: baseline M=31.6, SD=3.7 au and week 6 M=32.8, SD=3.6 au; story memory: baseline M=17.7, SD=3.2 au and week 6 M=19.6, SD=3.3 au; time p=0.002). No group-by-time interactions or time effects were observed for other brain health measures (GAD-7, PHQ-9, POMS, SF36v2).

Conclusions: Consuming two servings/d of mushrooms produced to contain vitamin D2 may improve depressive symptoms in middle-aged and older adults.

Funding Sources: Mushroom Council