Effects of Molecular Hydrogen on Mild Cognitive Impairment, Clinical Study

Title: Effects of Hydrogen Water on Cognitive Impairment

Authors: Kiyomi Nishimaki, Takashi Asada, Ikuroh Ohsawa, Etsuko Nakajima, Chiaki Ikejima, Takashi Yokota, Naomi Kamimura, Shigeo Ohta

Summary: This study explores the impact of drinking hydrogen-infused water on cognitive impairment using both animal models and a clinical study. Oxidative stress is linked to neurodegenerative diseases like mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia. The researchers investigate whether molecular hydrogen (H2) in water could act as an antioxidant to help counteract oxidative stress.

Methods: The study involves two parts: one with mice that have enhanced oxidative stress resembling dementia and another with human subjects suffering from MCI. In the animal model, mice were given hydrogen-infused water to drink, and their memory function and neurodegeneration were assessed. In the clinical study, 73 MCI subjects were randomly divided into two groups: one drank hydrogen water, and the other drank regular water as a placebo. Cognitive scores were measured using the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog) after one year.

Results: For the mice, drinking hydrogen water led to reduced oxidative stress markers, improved memory function, and reduced neurodegeneration. Mice in the hydrogen water group also lived longer on average. In the MCI subjects, the overall ADAS-cog scores after a year did not show a significant difference between the hydrogen water group and the placebo group. However, among MCI subjects with a specific genetic marker (apolipoprotein E4 or APOE4), those in the hydrogen water group showed significant improvements in total ADAS-cog score and a specific memory task score.

Conclusion: The study suggests that hydrogen water might have potential benefits in reducing dementia-related issues in an oxidative stress model and among MCI subjects with the APOE4 genotype. While the overall effects on MCI subjects were not significant, the positive outcomes in a specific genetic subgroup indicate potential benefits.