Researchers at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine have found that time-restricted feeding can potentially correct circadian disruptions seen in Alzheimer’s disease in mice. This is a significant discovery that could lead to new treatment options for the millions of Americans affected by this debilitating disease.
Time-restricted feeding is a type of intermittent fasting that restricts the daily eating window without restricting food consumption. In the study, mice fed on a time-restricted schedule showed improvements in memory and a reduced accumulation of amyloid proteins in the brain. These proteins are believed to play a role in the development and progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
Circadian disruptions are a common characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease, with nearly 80% of patients experiencing difficulty sleeping and worsening cognitive function at night. The findings suggest that these disruptions may be a driving factor of the disease, making them a promising target for new treatments.
Alzheimer’s disease affects over 6 million Americans and is a significant health challenge in the United States. Restoring circadian rhythms through time-restricted feeding could have a major impact on managing the disease in clinical settings and helping patients at home.
Boosting the circadian clock through controlling the daily cycle of feeding and fasting is an emerging approach to improving health outcomes. The time-restricted feeding schedule in the study involved a six-hour eating window for mice, which could translate to approximately 14 hours of daily fasting for humans. Mice on the time-restricted feeding schedule demonstrated better memory, followed a more regular sleep schedule, and experienced fewer disruptions during sleep compared to control mice.
The feeding schedule also resulted in changes in gene expression associated with Alzheimer’s disease and reduced accumulation of amyloid proteins in the brain. This suggests that time-restricted feeding not only improves symptoms but also has a positive effect on the underlying pathology of the disease.
The researchers are hopeful that these findings can be easily translated to the clinic and improve the lives of people living with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers. Importantly, this treatment approach relies on a lifestyle change rather than medication, making it accessible to a wide range of individuals.
Co-authors of the study include researchers from UC San Diego and UCLA. Their findings provide proof-of-concept for a potential new treatment approach for Alzheimer’s disease. Further studies will be needed to confirm these findings and determine the long-term effects of time-restricted feeding in humans. However, this research opens up promising possibilities for managing this devastating disease.
