Results
Title

Caloric restriction: beneficial effects on brain aging and Alzheimer's disease.

Authors

Van Cauwenberghe, Caroline; Vandendriessche, Charysse; Libert, Claude; Vandenbroucke, Roosmarijn

Abstract

Dietary interventions such as caloric restriction (CR) extend lifespan and health span. Recent data from animal and human studies indicate that CR slows down the aging process, benefits general health, and improves memory performance. Caloric restriction also retards and slows down the progression of different age-related diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease. However, the specific molecular basis of these effects remains unclear. A better understanding of the pathways underlying these effects could pave the way to novel preventive or therapeutic strategies. In this review, we will discuss the mechanisms and effects of CR on aging and Alzheimer's disease. A potential alternative to CR as a lifestyle modification is the use of CR mimetics. These compounds mimic the biochemical and functional effects of CR without the need to reduce energy intake. We discuss the effect of two of the most investigated mimetics, resveratrol and rapamycin, on aging and their potential as Alzheimer's disease therapeutics. However, additional research will be needed to determine the safety, efficacy, and usability of CR and its mimetics before a general recommendation can be proposed to implement them.

Subjects

LOW-calorie diet; AGING; BRAIN; ALZHEIMER'S disease; LIFE spans; HUMAN experimentation

Publication

Mammalian Genome, 2016, Vol 27, Issue 7/8, p300

ISSN

0938-8990

Publication type

Academic Journal

DOI

10.1007/s00335-016-9647-6