Hydrogen Therapy Improves Depression and Memory in Aging Mice
- Authors
- Keiichi Nakagawa, Kayoko Kodama, Wataru Nagata, Sayaka Takahashi, Yasushi Satoh, Toshiaki Ishizuka
- Journal
- Behavioural Brain Research
- Year
- 2024
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.bbr.2024.115330
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Japan
- Health Condition
- Depression
- Body System
- Nervous System
TL;DR
Molecular hydrogen treatment in jelly form improved mood and memory while reducing brain inflammation in aging mice.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich jelly reduced depression-like behaviors and improved memory in aged mice while lowering brain inflammation markers and markers of cellular damage in key memory regions.
Summary
Researchers gave aging mice that develop dementia-like symptoms either hydrogen-rich jelly or regular jelly for about 26 weeks, then tested their mood and memory. Mice receiving hydrogen-rich jelly showed less depression-like behavior, better memory performance, and lower levels of brain inflammation markers compared to control mice. The study suggests hydrogen may reduce harmful inflammation in the brain that occurs with aging.
Practical Takeaway
This is an early-stage animal study in mice engineered to age rapidly, so results cannot yet be applied to humans. While the findings suggest hydrogen may help reduce brain inflammation linked to aging-related mood and memory problems, much more research—including human trials—would be needed before any health claims could be made. The study supports further investigation but does not establish that hydrogen water would have similar effects in people.
Abstract (excerpt)
Background and aims: Neuroinflammation, a low-grade chronic inflammation of the central nervous system, is linked to age-related neuropsychiatric disorders such as senile depression and Alzheimer's disease. Recent studies have explored controlling neuroinflammation as a novel treatment strategy…