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‘ A promising find ’
Edible mushroom may help to treat dementia .
By Elise Hartevelt
An edible mushroom which has shown to enhance memory and boost cell growth could help to treat and prevent dementia , a new study has suggested .
Researchers from the University of Queensland investigated an active part in the ‘ lion ’ s mane ’ mushroom and found it promoted neuron projections and connectivity to other neurons .
The edible fungus has been used in Asia for centuries to relieve mild depression and anxiety , reduce heart disease risk and fight off dementia .
“ While this mushroom is seen as traditional medicine , we wanted to determine how it affected the brain scientifically ,” co-researcher Professor Frederic Meunier said .
“ We found that the active compound Hericium erinaceus significantly impacted neural growth and , consequently , improved memory .”
Dementia is a neurodegenerative disease affecting brain functioning , where the primary symptoms are memory loss , impaired logical thinking and daily functioning .
Australia ’ s peak body on the disease , Dementia Australia , called it a ‘ global epidemic ’, where it ’ s estimated that by 2050 , over 150 million people will be living with dementia .
In Australia , over 400,000 people were diagnosed with the disease in 2022 .
Over half of the 244,000 people in residential aged care have dementia .
The group often requires specific needs to address issues such as wandering and mood swings , which can be more challenging for staff and providers to deliver .
However , clinical medicine to prevent and treat the disease has yet to be discovered , and the drugs available focus mainly on managing symptoms .
Earlier research on the lion ’ s mane revealed that its active parts had protective qualities against cognitive decline due to ageing .
“ We found in our research that the fungus greatly increased the size of growth cones , which are important for brain cells to sense their environment and establish new connections with other neurons ,” Meunier explained .
Co-author Dr Ramon Martinez-Marmol said the discovery offered promising results that could potentially treat and protect against neurodegenerative cognitive disorders .
“ Our goal was to find bioactive substances from natural sources that could enter the brain and control the growth of neurons , enhancing memory formation ,” Martinez-Marmol said .
“ It ’ s a promising find that helps unravel the lion ’ s mane secrets and offer possible solutions to treat dementia .” ■
Criminal charges
Perth aged care worker charged over alleged attacks on residents .
By NCA NewsWire
A man has been charged with indecently assaulting three different women in two different
Perth aged care homes .
WA Police allege the first incident happened in July last year when the 56-year-old was working at a facility in the northern suburbs .
He allegedly indecently assaulted an 84-year-old woman , who was a resident .
The man then began working at an aged care facility in Perth ’ s eastern suburbs , where police claim he indecently assaulted a 93-year-old woman and sexually assaulted a 71-year-old woman .
Both women were residents of the facility at the time of the alleged incidents .
The Nollamara man was arrested on Tuesday and charged with three counts of aggravated indecent assault and one count of sexual penetration without consent .
He ’ s due to appear before the Armadale Magistrates Court on Wednesday .
The 2021 Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety found there were almost 50 alleged incidents of unlawful sexual contact in aged care homes over the 2018 – 19 period .
Data from the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission found that number had only reduced to about 44 per week in the July-September quarter of 2022 .
Ruston Shadow Health Minister Anne Ruston has touted the possibility that aged care facilities are ‘ going to have to shut .’
“ Where does that leave our older Australians ,” Ruston asked Sky News host Gary Hardgrave .
“ Nobody in Australia wants to see our older Australians , in their journey of ageing , not getting the support they deserve .” ■ agedcareinsite . com . au 7