Perspective: The Impact of Fasting and Caloric Restriction on Neurodegenerative Diseases in Humans

Mar 3, 2024Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.)

How Fasting and Eating Less May Affect Brain Diseases That Cause Memory and Movement Problems

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Longevity & Aging on OpenScience ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Abstract

Nutritional intervention trials focusing on fasting and caloric restriction in humans with neurodegenerative diseases have been largely neglected.

Neurodegenerative diseases are linked to the progressive deterioration of neurons in the nervous system.
Dietary factors may influence cognitive decline in the elderly with age-related brain issues.
Intermittent fasting and caloric restriction have shown potential in reversing disease processes in animal models of neurodegenerative diseases.
A comparative overview of existing primary studies on fasting and caloric restriction in humans with neurodegenerative diseases is lacking.
Current research highlights the need for more high-quality, longitudinal clinical trials to explore the immune and metabolic mechanisms associated with diet and neurodegenerative diseases.

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Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are characterized by the progressive functional and structural denaturation of neurons in the central and peripheral nervous systems. Despite the wide range of genetic predispositions, the increased emergence of these disorders has been associated with a variety of modifiable risk factors, including lifestyle factors. Diet has been shown to influence cognitive alterations in the elderly population with age-related brain pathologies, and specific dietary interventions might, therefore, confer preservatory protection to neural structures. Although Mediterranean and ketogenic diets have been studied, no clear guidelines have been implemented for the prevention or treatment of ND in clinical practice. Murine models have shown that intermittent fasting and caloric restriction (CR) can counteract disease processes in various age-related disorders, including NDs. The objective of this perspective is to provide a comprehensive, comparative overview of the available primary intervention studies on fasting and CR in humans with ND and to elucidate possible links between the mechanisms underlying the effects of fasting, CR, and the neuropathology of ND. We also included all currently available studies in older adults (with and without mild cognitive impairment) in which the primary endpoint was cognitive function to provide further insights into the feasibility and outcomes of such interventions. Overall, we conclude that nutritional intervention trials focusing on fasting and CR in humans with ND have been neglected, and more high-quality studies, including longitudinal clinical intervention trials, are urgently needed to elucidate the underlying immune-metabolic mechanisms in diet and ND.

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Perspective: The Impact of Fasting and Caloric Restriction on Neurodegenerative Diseases in Humans

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