2023-08-28 16:23:27
New Study Shows Intermittent Fasting May Be a Potential Treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease, a debilitating disorder that affects one in nine American adults over the age of 65, is expected to become even more prevalent in the future. While a cure for the disease is yet to be discovered, scientists may have found a breakthrough in treating one aspect of Alzheimer’s.
In a recent study conducted by researchers from the University of California, San Diego and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), the biological clocks of animals in a mouse model with Alzheimer’s disease were reconfigured through a program of intermittent fasting. The circadian clock disruption is one way Alzheimer’s interferes with biological processes in the body, resulting in changes in sleep-wake cycles and increased cognitive impairment.
The study, published in the medical journal “Cell Metabolism” and reported by the scientific website “Science Alert”, revealed that mice placed on a time-bound feeding schedule showed significant improvements in memory function. Additionally, the fasting mice exhibited a reduction in the accumulation of amyloid proteins, which have long been associated with Alzheimer’s disease. These mice also experienced a more regular sleep pattern with fewer disturbances compared to those that were allowed to eat at any time.
According to neuroscientist Paula Deplatz of the University of California, San Diego, disruption of the circadian clock may be one of the main drivers of Alzheimer’s disease. This discovery suggests that targeting circadian disturbances could lead to new therapies for Alzheimer’s. These findings provide a proof-of-concept for an accessible and straightforward method for correcting circadian disorders.
During the study, the mice were only allowed to eat during a six-hour period each day, equivalent to a 14-hour fast in a 24-hour cycle for humans. This fasting schedule appeared to help reset the disrupted circadian rhythms caused by Alzheimer’s disease. Furthermore, changes were observed at the molecular level, with multiple genes linked to disease and brain inflammation showing different expressions in Alzheimer’s mice on a fasting schedule.
Intermittent fasting is a practice that can be adopted relatively easily by individuals. If the same results are observed in human trials, this could be another promising option in combating Alzheimer’s disease. According to Deplatz, daily disruptions due to Alzheimer’s are the main reason for placing patients in nursing homes. Restoring the circadian rhythm of patients could make a significant difference in managing the disease.
While more research is needed to fully understand the effects of intermittent fasting on Alzheimer’s disease in humans, this study provides hope for potential future treatments. For now, adopting intermittent fasting as a lifestyle change may be a simple and accessible way for individuals to potentially alleviate some of the symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s.]
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