阅读说明：本技术 白霉奶酪在制造用于改善脑功能的组合物中的应用 (Application of white mould cheese in preparing composition for improving brain function ) 是由 铃木隆雄 金宪经 德井友香 山地健人 川岛昭浩 高杉谕 于 2019-09-04 设计创作，主要内容包括：白霉奶酪在制造用于改善脑功能的组合物中的应用。本发明涉及白霉奶酪或者其粉碎物或糊剂在制造为了脑功能的改善或促进脑源性神经营养因子的产生而对人经口给药的组合物中的应用。(Use of a white mould cheese in the manufacture of a composition for improving brain function. The present invention relates to the use of white mold cheese or a pulverized product or paste thereof for producing a composition to be orally administered to a human for the purpose of improving brain function or promoting the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factors.)

1. Use of a Mucor cheese or its pulverized product or paste in the manufacture of a composition for oral administration to human for improving brain function.

2. Use according to claim 1, wherein the white mould cheese is camembert cheese.

3. Use according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the improvement of brain function is the prevention or treatment of a reduction in brain function, or the prevention or treatment of a symptom or disease resulting from a reduction in brain function.

4. The use of claim 3, wherein the reduced brain function results from a reduction in brain-derived neurotrophic factor.

5. The use of claim 3, wherein the reduction in brain function is a reduction in cognitive function.

6. The use according to claim 3, wherein the symptom resulting from reduced brain function is cognitive dysfunction or a symptom of depression.

7. The use according to claim 3, wherein the disease resulting from reduced brain function is mild cognitive impairment, cognition or depression.

8. Use according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the human is an elderly person.

9. The use of claim 1 or 2, wherein the human exhibits a decrease in serum concentration of brain-derived neurotrophic factor.

10. The use according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the composition is administered orally to the human in such a manner that the intake of the white mold cheese or the ground product or paste thereof per 1 day is 13g or more.

11. The use of claim 1 or 2, wherein the composition is administered orally to the human daily for a period of 4 weeks or more.

12. The use according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the composition is administered orally to the human daily for a period of 4 weeks or more in such a manner that the daily intake of the white mould cheese or powder or paste thereof is 13g or more per 1 day.

13. Use according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the composition is a pharmaceutical composition or a food composition.

14. Use of a Mucor cheese or its pulverized product or paste for preparing a composition for oral administration to human for promoting the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor.

15. Use according to claim 14, wherein the white mould cheese is camembert cheese.

16. The use of claim 14 or 15, wherein the human is an elderly person.

17. The use of claim 14 or 15, wherein the human exhibits a decrease in serum concentration of brain-derived neurotrophic factor.

18. The use according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the composition is administered orally to the human in such a manner that the daily intake of the white mold cheese or the ground product or paste thereof is 13g or more.

19. The use of claim 14 or 15, wherein the composition is administered orally to the human daily for a period of 4 weeks or more.

20. The use according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the composition is administered orally to the human daily for a period of 4 weeks or more in such a manner that the daily intake of the white mould cheese or powder or paste thereof is 13g or more per 1 day.

21. Use according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the composition is a pharmaceutical composition or a food composition.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the use of white mold cheese or a pulverized product or paste thereof for producing a composition to be orally administered to a human for the purpose of improving brain function or promoting the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factors.

Background

The number of presumed patients of cognitive disorder and Mild cognitive impairment (MCI: Mild cognitive Impatiention) in Japan published by the Ministry of labour of the university of the great health in 2012 was 462 ten thousand and 400 ten thousand, respectively, and it is presumed that the rate increased each year.

Cognitive disorders significantly reduce the quality of life of elderly people as a major cause of impairment of Activities of Daily Living (ADL: Activities of Daily Living) which is an indispensable basic activity in life (eating, changing clothes, moving, excreting, dressing, bathing, etc.). Therefore, prevention or treatment of cognitive disorders is an important issue in society.

MCI is known to be a critical area for normal aging and cognition, and about half of the elderly MCI are converted to alzheimer-type cognition (AD) within 5 years. On the other hand, the aged MCI also includes those who have recovered to normal cognitive function. Therefore, intervention in the elderly of MCI is important for the prevention, delay of onset, or treatment of AD.

Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) is a secreted protein known as one of the Neurotrophic Factor families. BDNF is converted from pre-proto (prepro) BDNF to proto (pro) BDNF in neurons, glia, microglia, astrocytes, etc. Whereas proBDNF converts to mature BDNF. Mature BDNF is a secreted protein containing 119 amino acids, existing as a homodimer. It is known that mature BDNF produces long-term potentiation (long-term potentiation) by being secreted and bound to TrkB receptor as a receptor type tyrosine kinase, thereby producing neurogenesis, neurodevelopment, synaptogenesis, and the like.

Various studies have shown that BDNF is associated with brain functions, particularly cognitive functions (non-patent document 1). For example, it is reported that: BDNF decreases in the elderly, and BDNF decreases in association with a decrease in cognitive function and the onset of MCI (non-patent document 2), while in cognitive patients, the serum concentration of BDNF decreases, and the severity of cognitive patients has a correlation with the serum concentration of BDNF (non-patent document 3). In addition, it has been reported that the serum concentration of BDNF is decreased in a patient with depression, but the decreased serum concentration is restored by an antidepressant action (non-patent document 4). Therefore, promoting BDNF production is considered to be effective for improvement of brain function, particularly for prevention or treatment of brain function reduction (e.g., cognitive function reduction, etc.), symptoms (e.g., cognitive dysfunction, depressive symptoms, etc.), or diseases (e.g., MCI, cognition, depression, etc.) resulting from BDNF reduction.

It is reported that BDNF passes through the blood-brain barrier (non-patent document 5), the brain cortical BDNF amount of a mouse shows a strong positive correlation with the serum BDNF concentration (non-patent document 6), and the BDNF concentration in cerebrospinal fluid shows a correlation with the serum BDNF concentration (non-patent document 7), and therefore the serum concentration of BDNF is considered to reflect the intracerebral level of BDNF (BDNF production level).

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

The present invention aims to provide a novel composition orally administered to a human for improving brain function or promoting the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor.

Means for solving the problems

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides the following compositions.

[A1] A composition for oral administration to a human for improving brain function, which comprises a white mold cheese or a pulverized product or paste thereof.

[A2] The composition according to [ A1], wherein the Mucor cheese is camembert cheese (Camembertcheese).

[A3] The composition according to [ A1] or [ A2], wherein the improvement in brain function is prevention or treatment of a decrease in brain function or prevention or treatment of a symptom or disease caused by a decrease in brain function.

[A4] The composition according to [ A3], wherein the reduction in brain function is caused by a reduction in brain-derived neurotrophic factor.

[A5] The composition of [ A3] or [ A4], wherein the aforementioned reduction in brain function is a reduction in cognitive function.

[A6] The composition according to [ A3] or [ A4], wherein the aforementioned symptom due to the reduction of brain function is cognitive dysfunction or a symptom of depression.

[A7] The composition according to [ A3] or [ A4], wherein the aforementioned diseases due to the reduction of brain function are mild cognitive impairment, cognitive disorders or depression.

[A8] The composition according to any one of [ A1] to [ A7], wherein the above is an elderly person.

[A9] The composition of any one of [ A1] to [ A8], wherein the human exhibits a decrease in serum concentration of brain-derived neurotrophic factor.

[A10] The composition according to any one of [ A1] to [ A9], wherein the composition is orally administered to the human so that an intake amount of the white mold cheese or the ground product or paste thereof per 1 day is 13g or more.

[A11] The composition according to any one of [ A1] to [ A9], wherein the composition is orally administered to the human every day for a period of 4 weeks or more.

[A12] The composition according to any one of [ A1] to [ A9], wherein the composition is orally administered to the human daily for a period of 4 weeks or more so that the amount of the white mold cheese or the powder or paste thereof ingested per 1 day is 13g or more.

[A13] The composition according to any one of [ A1] to [ A12], wherein the composition is a pharmaceutical composition or a food composition.

[B1] A composition for oral administration to a human to promote the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which comprises white mold cheese or a pulverized product or paste thereof.

[B2] The composition according to [ B1], wherein the white mold cheese is camembert cheese.

[B3] The composition of [ B1] or [ B2], wherein the aforementioned is an elderly person.

[B4] The composition according to any one of [ B1] to [ B3], wherein the human exhibits a decrease in serum concentration of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor.

[B5] The composition according to any one of [ B1] to [ B4], wherein the composition is orally administered to the human so that the daily intake of the white mold cheese or the ground product or paste thereof is 13g or more.

[B6] The composition according to any one of [ B1] to [ B4], wherein the composition is orally administered to the human every day for a period of 4 weeks or more.

[B7] The composition according to any one of [ B1] to [ B4], wherein the composition is orally administered to the human daily for a period of 4 weeks or more so that the amount of the white mold cheese or the powder or paste thereof ingested per 1 day is 13g or more.

[B8] The composition according to any one of [ B1] to [ B7], wherein the composition is a pharmaceutical composition or a food composition.

In addition, the present invention provides the following applications.

[C1] Use of a Mucor cheese or its pulverized product or paste in the manufacture of a composition for oral administration to human for improving brain function.

[C2] The use of [ C1], wherein the white mold cheese is camembert cheese.

[C3] The use according to [ C1] or [ C2], wherein the improvement in brain function is prevention or treatment of a decrease in brain function or prevention or treatment of a symptom or disease caused by a decrease in brain function.

[C4] The use according to [ C3], wherein the reduction in brain function is due to a reduction in brain-derived neurotrophic factor.

[C5] The use according to [ C3] or [ C4], wherein the aforementioned reduction in brain function is a reduction in cognitive function.

[C6] The use according to [ C3] or [ C4], wherein the aforementioned symptom resulting from decreased brain function is cognitive dysfunction or a symptom of depression.

[C7] The use according to [ C3] or [ C4], wherein the disease resulting from a decrease in brain function is mild cognitive impairment, cognition or depression.

[C8] The use according to any one of [ C1] to [ C7], wherein the above-mentioned is an elderly person.

[C9] The use according to any one of [ C1] to [ C8], wherein the human exhibits a decrease in serum concentration of brain-derived neurotrophic factor.

[C10] The use according to any one of [ C1] to [ C9], wherein the composition is orally administered to the human in such a manner that the intake of the white mold cheese or the ground product or paste thereof per 1 day is 13g or more.

[C11] The use according to any one of [ C1] to [ C9], wherein the composition is orally administered to the human every day for a period of 4 weeks or more.

[C12] The use according to any one of [ C1] to [ C9], wherein the composition is orally administered to the human daily for a period of 4 weeks or more so that the amount of the Mucor cheese or the powder or paste thereof taken per 1 day is 13g or more.

[C13] The use according to any one of [ C1] to [ C12], wherein the composition is a pharmaceutical composition or a food composition.

[D1] Use of a Mucor cheese or its pulverized product or paste for preparing a composition for oral administration to human for promoting the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor.

[D2] The use of [ D1], wherein the white mold cheese is camembert cheese.

[D3] The use of [ D1] or [ D2], wherein the aforementioned is for elderly people.

[D4] The use according to any one of [ D1] to [ D3], wherein the human exhibits a decrease in serum concentration of brain-derived neurotrophic factor.

[D5] The use according to any one of [ D1] to [ D4], wherein the composition is orally administered to the human in such a manner that the intake of the white mold cheese or the ground product or paste thereof per 1 day is 13g or more.

[D6] The use according to any one of [ D1] to [ D4], wherein the composition is orally administered to the human every day for a period of 4 weeks or more.

[D7] The use according to any one of [ D1] to [ D4], wherein the composition is orally administered to the human daily for a period of 4 weeks or more so that the amount of the Mucor cheese or the powder or paste thereof taken per 1 day is 13g or more.

[D8] The use according to any one of [ D1] to [ D7], wherein the composition is a pharmaceutical composition or a food composition.

In addition, the present invention provides the following method.

[E1] A method for improving brain function, comprising the step of orally administering a composition containing Mucor cheese or a pulverized product or paste thereof to a person in need of improvement of brain function.

[E2] The method according to [ E1], wherein the white mold cheese is camembert cheese.

[E3] The method according to [ E1] or [ E2], wherein the improvement in brain function is prevention or treatment of a decrease in brain function or prevention or treatment of a symptom or disease caused by a decrease in brain function.

[E4] The method according to [ E3], wherein the reduction in brain function is caused by a reduction in brain-derived neurotrophic factor.

[E5] The method of [ E3] or [ E4], wherein the aforementioned reduction in brain function is a reduction in cognitive function.

[E6] The method according to [ E3] or [ E4], wherein the aforementioned symptom due to the reduction of brain function is cognitive dysfunction or a symptom of depression.

[E7] The method of [ E3] or [ E4], wherein the aforementioned disorder resulting from reduced brain function is mild cognitive impairment, cognition or depression.

[E8] The method according to any one of [ E1] to [ E7], wherein the above is an elderly person.

[E9] The method according to any one of [ E1] to [ E8], wherein the human exhibits a decrease in serum concentration of brain-derived neurotrophic factor.

[E10] The method according to any one of [ E1] to [ E9], wherein the composition is orally administered to the human so that an intake amount of the white mold cheese or the ground product or paste thereof per 1 day is 13g or more.

[E11] The method according to any one of [ E1] to [ E9], wherein the composition is orally administered to the human every day for a period of 4 weeks or more.

[E12] The method according to any one of [ E1] to [ E9], wherein the composition is orally administered to the human daily for a period of 4 weeks or more so that the amount of the white mold cheese or the powder or paste thereof ingested per 1 day is 13g or more.

[E13] The method according to any one of [ E1] to [ E12], wherein the composition is a pharmaceutical composition or a food composition.

[F1] A method for promoting the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which comprises orally administering a composition comprising white mold cheese or a pulverized product or paste thereof to a human in need of promoting the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor.

[F2] The method according to [ F1], wherein the white mold cheese is camembert cheese.

[F3] The method of [ F1] or [ F2], wherein the aforementioned is an elderly person.

[F4] The method according to any one of [ F1] to [ F3], wherein the human exhibits a decrease in serum concentration of brain-derived neurotrophic factor.

[F5] The method according to any one of [ F1] to [ F4], wherein the composition is orally administered to the human so that an intake amount of the white mold cheese or the ground product or paste thereof per 1 day is 13g or more.

[F6] The method according to any one of [ F1] to [ F4], wherein the composition is orally administered to the human every day for a period of 4 weeks or more.

[F7] The method according to any one of [ F1] to [ F4], wherein the composition is orally administered to the human daily for a period of 4 weeks or more so that the amount of the Mucor cheese or the powder or paste thereof ingested per 1 day is 13g or more.

[F8] The method according to any one of [ F1] to [ F7], wherein the composition is a pharmaceutical composition or a food composition.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is provided a novel composition orally administered to a human for the purpose of improving brain function or promoting the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factors.

Detailed Description

The present invention will be explained below. In addition, 2 or more types of the embodiments, features, and the like described in the present specification may be combined, and these combinations are also included in the present invention.

The present invention provides a composition according to claim 1, which is orally administered to a human for improving brain function, and which contains white mold cheese or a pulverized product or paste thereof.

The present invention provides a composition according to embodiment 2, which is orally administered to a human to promote the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and which comprises white mold cheese or a pulverized product or paste thereof.

[ compositions of the compositions according to embodiments 1 and 2]

The composition according to aspects 1 and 2 contains, as an active ingredient, white mold cheese or a ground product or paste thereof. The "active ingredient" refers to an ingredient having an effect of improving brain function in embodiment 1, and refers to an ingredient having an effect of promoting the production of a brain-derived neurotrophic factor in embodiment 2.

The composition according to aspects 1 and 2 may be composed of the white mold cheese alone or a ground product or paste thereof, or may contain other components. The other components may be appropriately selected depending on the form of the composition. For example, the composition according to aspects 1 and 2 may contain an active ingredient other than white mold cheese or a ground product or paste thereof.

In one embodiment, the composition of claim 1 is composed of the white mold cheese alone or a ground product or paste thereof. That is, in one embodiment, the composition according to claim 1 is a white mold cheese or a pulverized product or paste thereof orally administered to a human for the purpose of improving brain function.

In one embodiment, the composition of claim 2 is composed of the white mold cheese alone or a ground product or paste thereof. That is, in one embodiment, the composition according to claim 2 is white mold cheese or a pulverized product or paste thereof orally administered to a human in order to promote the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor.

The white mold cheese has a soft cheese body and a white mold layer covering at least a part of the surface of the soft cheese body. The soft cheese main body is in a state of being matured (fermented) by white mold contained in the white mold layer. The white mold layer may cover a part of the surface of the soft cheese main body or the entire surface of the soft cheese main body. In the embodiment in which the soft cheese main body is partially covered with the white mold layer, the ratio of the area of the part covered with the white mold layer to the surface area of the soft cheese main body is, for example, 30 to 100%, preferably 40 to 100%, more preferably 50 to 100%, and still more preferably 54 to 100%. Examples of the white mold contained in the white mold layer include Penicillium camemberti (Penicillium camemberti), Penicillium canedium (Penicillium canedium), Penicillium casei (Penicillium caseiumdium), and geotrichum candidium (geotrichum canedium). The number of the white mold contained in the white mold layer may be 1 or 2 or more.

The pulverized product or paste of white mold cheese is obtained by pulverizing or pasting white mold cheese having a soft cheese body and a white mold layer covering at least a part of the surface of the soft cheese body. The pulverized product or paste of white mold cheese contains components of soft cheese main body and components of white mold layer. That is, the ground product or paste of white mold cheese is different from white mold cheese in morphology, but is the same as white mold cheese in composition.

White cheese is one of the natural cheeses defined in "province of ingredient standards for milk and dairy products, etc. (に Seki する province such as milk およ for imparting a better milk ingredient, size, etc.)" (No. 52 of shangzo and 27-month-12-26-year-27-day-thickness-province). According to "modern cheese (modern チーズ science)" (the more well the ministry of japan, the food material research society, 2 months 2011), natural cheese is classified into (1) a fresh type (cheese without ripening), (2) a white mold type (soft cheese whose skin is covered with white mold), (3) a cleaning type (soft cheese in which a special microorganism is transplanted (also naturally attached) to the skin of cheese, and a washing operation is accompanied by salt water or real estate wine), (4) a goat milk type (cheese made from goat milk), (5) a penicillium type (so-called blue-grain cheese in which penicillium is propagated and flavor is internally formed by its action), (6) a semihard type (cheese characterized by low tissue moisture and elasticity due to tightening), (7) a hard type (cheese which is the hardest among cheeses and has a ripening period of 2 years or more from half a year to cheese with a long ripening period, cheese which can be stored for a long period of time) 7 kinds of cheeses. White mold cheese belongs to the type of white mold. Examples of the white mold cheese include Camembert cheese (Camembert cheese), Brie cheese (Brie cheese), Brettant savart cheese (Brilat-Savarin), Basaka cheese, and Saussa cheese. In a preferred embodiment, the white mold cheese is camembert or brie cheese, and in a further preferred embodiment, the white mold cheese is camembert.

The white mold cheese can be produced by the following method, for example. Preparing raw milk, and sterilizing at low temperature as required. The raw milk is warmed. Lactic acid bacteria and rennet (rennet) were added to the warmed raw milk. Whey (whey) is removed from the resulting curd, thereby obtaining cheese curd. The cheese curd is poured into a mold (mold) for molding. The formed cheese curd was salted, and white mold was sprayed on the surface of the cheese curd. The cheese curd sprayed with white mold on the surface is aged in an aging tank in which the temperature and humidity are adjusted. Examples of the white mold used for producing the white mold cheese include Penicillium camemberti (Penicillium camemberti), Penicillium canedium (Penicillium canedium), Penicillium casei (Penicillium caseium), and Geotrichum candidium (Geotrichum canedium). The number of white molds used in the production of the white mold cheese may be 1 or 2 or more. The aging period is usually 1 to 4 weeks (e.g., 2 to 3 weeks). Thus, white mold cheese can be produced.

In the manufacture of white mold cheese, primary and secondary decomposition occurs during ripening. Examples of the primary degradation include production of amino acids by degradation of casein and production of fatty acids by degradation of milk fat. Examples of the secondary decomposition include generation of an aromatic substance by decomposition of a primary decomposition product such as an amino acid or a fatty acid. Primary decomposition is approximately common in natural cheese of the ripened type. The flavor inherent in each natural cheese is mainly imparted by secondary decomposition.

In the production of white mold cheese, white mold grows on the surface of cheese curd during aging, and amino acids are decomposed by amino acid dehydrogenase possessed by white mold to generate ammonia. The pH of the outer side of the cheese curd is raised by ammonia generated at the surface of the cheese curd. The calcium in the cheese curd moves outward due to the pH gradient thus generated, and softening of the tissue in the cheese curd is promoted. The pH of the white mold cheese after completion of the aging is, for example, 6.0 to 7.0.

Examples of the aroma substances to be detected in the white mold cheese include ammonia, ketones, alcohols, esters, and sulfides. Examples of the ketone detected in the Mucor cheese include pentane-2-one, heptane-2-one, nonane-2-one, undecane-2-one, and the like. Examples of the alcohol detected in the white mold cheese include oct-1-en-3-ol, pentane-2-ol, heptane-2-ol, nonane-2-ol, 2-methylpropanol, 2-methylbutanol, and 2-phenylethanol. Examples of the sulfide detected in the white mold cheese include dimethyl sulfide, dimethyl disulfide, and dimethyl trisulfide.

[ use of the composition according to embodiment 1]

The use of the composition of claim 1 for improving brain function. In one embodiment, the improvement in brain function is a prevention or treatment of a decrease in brain function. In other embodiments, the improvement in brain function is the prevention or treatment of a symptom or disease resulting from a decrease in brain function.

"brain function decrease" includes a decrease in the present state of a subject to be administered and a decrease in the present state of a subject to be administered, and a decrease in the present state of a subject to be administered. "prevention of a decrease in brain function" includes maintenance of brain function, inhibition of a decrease in brain function, and delay of a decrease in brain function. "treatment of reduced brain function" includes recovery of reduced brain function, and normalization of reduced brain function. "prevention of symptoms or diseases due to brain function deterioration" includes suppression of onset of symptoms or diseases and delay of onset of symptoms or diseases. "treatment of a symptom or disease resulting from a decrease in brain function" includes suppression of exacerbation or worsening of the symptom or disease, delay of exacerbation or worsening of the symptom or disease, alleviation of the symptom or disease, and cure of the symptom or disease.

The reduced brain function preferably results from a reduction in brain-derived neurotrophic factor. The term "brain-derived neurotrophic factor" is used in a sense including prepro (prepro) type, pro (pro) type and mature type. That is, if the mature form is finally decreased, the prototype may be decreased or the prototype may be decreased. The reduction in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor is caused, for example, by a reduction in the production level (including expression level and secretion level) of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the brain. The decrease in the production level of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor includes a decrease in the present state of the subject to be administered and a decrease in the present state of the subject to be administered, as well as a decrease in the present state of the subject to be administered. Whether or not the brain-derived neurotrophic factor is reduced can be determined by using the serum concentration of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor as an index. For example, when the serum concentration of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the subject to be administered is liable to decrease, or when the serum concentration of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the subject to be administered is decreased as compared with a healthy person of the same age as the subject to be administered, it can be judged that the brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the subject to be administered is decreased.

Examples of the brain function deterioration include cognitive function deterioration. Examples of the cognitive function deterioration include a deterioration in memory ability, a deterioration in learning ability, a deterioration in sensory ability, a deterioration in thinking ability, a deterioration in judgment ability, a deterioration in orientation ability, a deterioration in attention ability, a deterioration in execution ability, and a deterioration in language ability. The decrease in cognitive function exhibited by the subject to be administered may be 1 decrease in function, or may be 2 or more decreases in function.

Examples of the symptoms caused by the brain function deterioration include cognitive dysfunction, depression symptoms, and the like. Examples of cognitive dysfunction include memory dysfunction, learning dysfunction, sensory dysfunction, thinking dysfunction, judgment dysfunction, orientation dysfunction, attention dysfunction, executive dysfunction, and language dysfunction. The cognitive dysfunction exhibited by the subject to be administered may be 1 kind of dysfunction or may be 2 or more kinds of dysfunction.

Examples of the diseases caused by the brain function deterioration include mild cognitive impairment, cognitive disorders, depression, and the like. Examples of the cognitive disorders include senile cognitive disorders, cognitive disorders of the alzheimer type, cerebrovascular cognitive disorders, cognitive disorders of the frontotemporal lobe type, cognitive disorders of the lewy body type, cognitive disorders after trauma, cognitive disorders due to brain tumors, cognitive disorders due to chronic subdural hematoma, cognitive disorders due to normal pressure hydrocephalus, cognitive disorders after myelitis, and cognitive disorders of the parkinson type.

The composition according to mode 1, which is capable of improving brain function by the effect of promoting the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor possessed by the white mold cheese or the pulverized product or paste thereof. Thus, the composition of mode 1 is effective for preventing or treating a decrease in brain function, a symptom or a disease due to a decrease in brain-derived neurotrophic factor. However, the action mechanism of the composition described in 1 for improving brain function is not limited to the production promoting effect of brain-derived neurotrophic factor.

The subject to which the composition of the 1 st aspect is administered can be appropriately selected depending on the use of the composition of the 1 st aspect. In an embodiment where the improvement in brain function is prevention or treatment of a decrease in brain function, the subject to be administered is a human in need of prevention or treatment of a decrease in brain function. In an embodiment in which the improvement in brain function is a prevention or treatment of a symptom or disease caused by a decrease in brain function, the subject to be administered is a human in need of the prevention or treatment of the symptom or disease.

In one embodiment, the subject is a healthy human. In embodiments where the subject is a healthy person, a decrease in brain function or a symptom or disease resulting from a decrease in brain function can be prevented. Brain function decreases with aging. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, the subject to be administered is a healthy and elderly person. "advanced" means preferably over 60 years, more preferably over 65 years.

In other embodiments, the subject is a human exhibiting reduced brain function or the suspicion. In embodiments where the subject is a human exhibiting reduced brain function or suspected of having reduced brain function, the reduced brain function of the subject may be treated. The risk of reduced brain function increases with aging. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, the subject to be administered is a person of an advanced age who exhibits a decreased brain function or is suspected of having such a decreased brain function. The meaning of "elderly" is the same as above.

In still other embodiments, the subject is a person who presents symptoms or diseases due to a decrease in brain function or who is suspected of having such symptoms or diseases. In embodiments where the subject is a human presenting symptoms or diseases due to reduced brain function or suspected of having such symptoms or diseases, the symptoms or diseases due to reduced brain function of the subject can be treated. The risk of developing symptoms or diseases due to decreased brain function increases with aging. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, the subject to be administered is a person of an advanced age who presents symptoms or diseases due to a decrease in brain function or the suspicion. The meaning of "elderly" is the same as above.

In still another embodiment, the subject to be administered is a human exhibiting a decrease in serum concentration of a brain-derived neurotrophic factor. For example, when the serum concentration of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the subject to be administered is liable to decrease, or when the serum concentration of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the subject to be administered is decreased as compared with a healthy person of the same age as the subject to be administered, it can be judged that the serum concentration of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the subject to be administered is decreased. A decrease in the serum concentration of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor is an indicator of a decrease in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the brain (for example, a decrease in the production level (including the expression level and the secretion level) of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the brain), a decrease in the brain function, and a symptom or disease caused by the decrease in the brain function.

[ use of the composition according to embodiment 2]

The use of the composition of mode 2 for promoting the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor. "promoting the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor" includes increasing the expression level and secretion level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the brain. The term "brain-derived neurotrophic factor" is used in a sense to include the prepro-type, prototype, and mature-type. That is, the generation of the prepromorph may be promoted or the generation of the prototype may be promoted as long as the generation of the final mature form is promoted. The promotion of the production of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor can be judged by using the serum concentration of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor as an index.

Specifically, in the case where the serum concentration of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor after oral administration of the composition according to aspect 2 is increased with a significant difference from the serum concentration of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor before oral administration of the composition according to aspect 2, for example, in the case where the rate of change in the serum concentration of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor before and after oral administration of the composition according to aspect 2 is preferably 1% or more, more preferably 2% or more, and even more preferably 3% or more, it can be judged that the production of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor is promoted. The change rate of the serum concentration of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor was calculated based on the following formula.

The rate of change in serum concentration ═ (serum concentration after administration of the composition-serum concentration before administration of the composition)/serum concentration before administration of the composition) × 100

The composition according to embodiment 2, which has an effect of promoting the production of a brain-derived neurotrophic factor contained in the white mold cheese or the pulverized product or paste thereof, can prevent or treat the decrease in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and can prevent a decrease in brain function, symptoms or diseases caused by the decrease in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor. The reduction in brain-derived neurotrophic factor is, for example, due to a reduction in the production level (including expression level and secretion level) of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor. The decrease in the production level of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor includes a decrease in the present state of the subject to be administered and a decrease in the present state of the subject to be administered, as well as a decrease in the present state of the subject to be administered. Whether or not the brain-derived neurotrophic factor is reduced can be determined by using the serum concentration of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor as an index. For example, when the serum concentration of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor of the subject to be administered is in a tendency to decrease, or when the serum concentration of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor of the subject to be administered is decreased as compared with a healthy person of the same age as the subject to be administered, it can be judged that the brain-derived neurotrophic factor of the subject to be administered is decreased.

The subject to which the composition according to mode 2 is administered is a human in need of promotion of production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor.

In one embodiment, the subject is a healthy human. In the embodiment in which the subject to be administered is a healthy person, the production promoting action of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor can prevent the reduction of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor of the subject to be administered, and further prevent the reduction of brain function, symptoms or diseases caused by the reduction of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor. The production of brain-derived neurotrophic factors decreases with aging. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, the subject to be administered is a healthy and elderly person. "advanced" means preferably over 60 years, more preferably over 65 years.

In other embodiments, the subject is a human who exhibits a decrease in brain-derived neurotrophic factor or is suspected of having such a decrease. In the embodiment in which the subject to be administered is a human who is suffering from or suspected of suffering from a reduction in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor, the reduction in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor of the subject to be administered can be treated by the production-promoting action of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and the reduction in brain function, symptoms or diseases caused by the reduction in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor can be prevented. The reduced risk of brain-derived neurotrophic factors increases with aging. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, the subject to be administered is a person of an advanced age who is suspected of showing a decrease in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor. The meaning of "elderly" is the same as above.

In still another embodiment, the subject to be administered is a human exhibiting a decrease in serum concentration of a brain-derived neurotrophic factor. For example, when the serum concentration of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the subject to be administered is liable to decrease, or when the serum concentration of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the subject to be administered is decreased as compared with a healthy person of the same age as the subject to be administered, it can be judged that the serum concentration of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the subject to be administered is decreased. A decrease in the serum concentration of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor is an indicator of a decrease in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor, a decrease in brain function due to the decrease in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and a symptom or disease caused by the decrease in brain function.

[ amount and usage of the composition according to embodiment 1 and 2]

The dosage of the composition according to the 1 st and 2 nd embodiments can be appropriately adjusted in consideration of sex, age, weight, symptoms, and the like of a subject to be administered. The composition according to aspects 1 and 2 is orally administered in such a manner that the amount of the white mold cheese or the powder or paste thereof taken per 1 day is preferably 13g or more, more preferably 15g or more, even more preferably 16g or more, and even more preferably 16.7g or more. The upper limit of the amount of the white mold cheese or the powder or paste thereof taken per 1 day is not particularly limited, but is preferably 200g or less, more preferably 100g or less, and still more preferably 50g or less.

The administration period of the composition according to embodiment 1 and 2 may be appropriately adjusted in consideration of sex, age, body weight, symptoms, and the like of the subject. The composition according to modes 1 and 2 is preferably orally administered every day for a period of 4 weeks or more, more preferably for a period of 8 weeks or more, and even more preferably for a period of 12 weeks or more. The upper limit of the administration period is not particularly limited, and is, for example, 10 years or less, 5 years or less, 3 years or less, or 1 year or less. The number of administrations per 1 day is not particularly limited, and is usually 1, 2 or 3.

[ forms of the compositions according to embodiments 1 and 2]

The form of the composition according to the 1 st and 2 nd aspects is not particularly limited. In one embodiment, the composition according to embodiments 1 and 2 is a pharmaceutical composition. In another embodiment, the composition according to any one of embodiments 1 and 2 is a food composition.

Examples of the pharmaceutical composition include granules, powders, tablets (including sugar-coated tablets), pills, capsules, syrups, emulsions, and suspensions. These preparations can be produced according to a conventional method using a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Examples of the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier include excipients, binders, diluents, additives, flavors, buffers, thickeners, colorants, stabilizers, emulsifiers, dispersants, suspending agents, preservatives and the like. The pharmaceutically acceptable carriers may be used alone in 1 kind or in combination of 2 or more kinds.

Examples of the food composition include health foods, nutritional supplements, functional foods, health functional foods (e.g., specific health foods, nutritional functional foods, and functional foods), foods for special use (e.g., foods for infants, foods for pregnant women and puerperal women, foods for elderly people, and foods for patients), and the like. The form of the food composition is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include solid, paste, semi-liquid, and gel forms. The use (improvement of brain function, promotion of production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and the like), the amount, the usage, and the like of the food composition can be shown in a container of the food composition or in a document (specification) attached thereto.

The composition according to aspects 1 and 2 can be packaged so that it can be easily ingested in an amount of 1 day serving. The intake of 1 day serving may be one package or multiple packages. In the case of providing in a packaged form, it is preferable to provide the amount of intake for a certain period of time (for example, the amount of intake for several days) in a kit form so as to facilitate continuous intake. The packaging method is not particularly limited as long as the predetermined amount is defined, and examples thereof include wrapping paper, bags, soft bags, paper containers, cans, bottles, capsules, and the like.