Snow fungus (TF; Tremella fuciformis, Tremellaceae) is a mushroom with a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine. It is used for enhancing cognition, promoting healthy brain aging, and preventing neurodegenerative disorders. The bioactive polysaccharides in TF have demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulating, lipid-lowering, and hypoglycemic effects. According to the authors, TF has not been studied clinically for improving cognition. Subjective cognitive impairment (SCI) is defined as having a self-perceived cognitive problem, despite cognitive test measurements within a normal range. This population is thought to be a target for early intervention to prevent future development of neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease. The authors conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral TF in participants with SCI.

Participants (n=75, aged 40-65 years) were recruited through local advertisements in Seoul, Korea. Included participants had ≥12 years of education and SCI, but no…