The effects of life-long food restriction on spatial memory in young and aged Fischer 344 rats measured in the eight-arm radial and the Morris water mazes

Stewart, Jane; Mitchell, John B.; Kalant, N.

doi:10.1016/0197-4580(89)90003-1

Cited by 163 publications

(91 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…The findings of this interventional trial in humans support experimental animal studies (4) and epidemiological observations in humans (19,40) that have suggested beneficial effects of CR on the aging brain. For example, CR has been demonstrated to enhance spatial memory performance in rats (17), and even CR over a period of 4 months sufficed to reduce age-related impairments in motor-and learning tasks in mice (9). Moreover, Fontan-Lozano and colleagues (41) reported that a CR diet, using an intermittent fasting regime enhanced learning and consolidation processes in mice, probably via higher expression of an NMDA-receptor subunit in the hippocampus.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the last 3 decades, numerous studies suggested that modifiable lifestyle factors including a low-calorie diet (caloric restriction, CR), and specific micro-and macronutrients like unsaturated fatty acids (UFA), might exert beneficial effects on the aging brain (3)(4)(5)(6)(7). In animal models of aging and neurodegenerative diseases, CR protected hippocampal, striatal, and cortical neurons, and ameliorated functional decline (8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18). In longitudinal observations in humans, it was found that a CR diet, as consumed by residents of the city of Okinawa, Japan, contributed to healthy aging and longevity (19).…”

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confidence: 99%

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Caloric restriction improves memory in elderly humans

Witte¹,

Fobker²,

Gellner³

et al. 2009

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

487

378

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Animal studies suggest that diets low in calories and rich in unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) are beneficial for cognitive function in age. Here, we tested in a prospective interventional design whether the same effects can be induced in humans. Fifty healthy, normal- to overweight elderly subjects (29 females, mean age 60.5 years, mean body mass index 28 kg/m2) were stratified into 3 groups: (i) caloric restriction (30% reduction), (ii) relative increased intake of UFAs (20% increase, unchanged total fat), and (iii) control. Before and after 3 months of intervention, memory performance was assessed under standardized conditions. We found a significant increase in verbal memory scores after caloric restriction (mean increase 20%; P < 0.001), which was correlated with decreases in fasting plasma levels of insulin and high sensitive C-reactive protein, most pronounced in subjects with best adherence to the diet (all r values < −0.8; all P values <0.05). Levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor remained unchanged. No significant memory changes were observed in the other 2 groups. This interventional trial demonstrates beneficial effects of caloric restriction on memory performance in healthy elderly subjects. Mechanisms underlying this improvement might include higher synaptic plasticity and stimulation of neurofacilitatory pathways in the brain because of improved insulin sensitivity and reduced inflammatory activity. Our study may help to generate novel prevention strategies to maintain cognitive functions into old age

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Caloric restriction improves memory in elderly humans

Witte¹,

Fobker²,

Gellner³

et al. 2009

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

487

378

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…During aging, a switch from NR2B to NR2A in NMDARs is commonly observed in many brain regions (Monyer et al, 1994;Sheng et al, 1994), and it may contribute to a reduction in adult brain plasticity (Barria and Malinow, 2005). It is well established that CR decreases aging-related deficiencies in cognitive processes (Idrobo et al, 1987;Ingram et al, 1987;Stewart et al, 1989;. However, the molecular and cellular bases of these effects remain unclear.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Caloric Restriction Increases Learning Consolidation and Facilitates Synaptic Plasticity through Mechanisms Dependent on NR2B Subunits of the NMDA Receptor

Fontán‐Lozano¹,

Sáez-Cassanelli²,

Inda³

et al. 2007

J. Neurosci.

164

140

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One of the main focal points of aging research is the search for treatments that will prevent or ameliorate the learning and memory deficiencies associated with aging. Here we have examined the effects of maintaining mature mice on a long-term intermittent fasting diet (L-IFD). We found that L-IFD enhances learning and consolidation processes. We also assessed the long-term changes in synaptic efficiency in these animals. L-IFD mice showed an increase in low-theta-band oscillations, paired-pulse facilitation, and facilitation of long-term synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus with respect to mice fed ad libitum. In addition, we found an increase in the expression of the NMDA receptor subunit NR2B in some brain areas of L-IFD mice. Specific antagonism of this subunit in the hippocampus reversed the beneficial effects of L-IFD. These data provide a molecular and cellular mechanism by which L-IFD may enhance cognition, ameliorating some aging-associated cognitive deficits.

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“…This increase in longevity is often accompanied by an effective counteraction of the aging process both at the level of body healthness with reduced incidence of age-related cardiomyopathy, diabetes, hypertension and neoplastic processes 3,4 , and at the level of brain physiology. Noteworthy, various protocols of food restriction (FR) delay the onset of learning and memory decline leading to an improvement of animal performances in behavioural tests 5,6 and suppressing synaptic deficits in the hippocampus 7,8 . These effects could involve neural plasticity processes.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Food restriction enhances visual cortex plasticity in adulthood

Spolidoro¹,

Baroncelli²,

Putignano

et al. 2011

Nat Commun

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neural circuits display a heightened sensitivity to external stimuli during well-established windows in early postnatal life. After the end of these critical periods, brain plasticity dramatically wanes. The visual system is one of the paradigmatic models for studying experiencedependent plasticity. Here we show that food restriction can be used as a strategy to restore plasticity in the adult visual cortex of rats. A short period of food restriction in adulthood is able both to reinstate ocular dominance plasticity and promote recovery from amblyopia. These effects are accompanied by a reduction of intracortical inhibition without modulation of brainderived neurotrophic factor expression or extracellular matrix structure. our results suggest that food restriction could be investigated as a potential way of modulating plasticity.

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The effects of life-long food restriction on spatial memory in young and aged Fischer 344 rats measured in the eight-arm radial and the Morris water mazes

Cited by 163 publications

References 30 publications

Caloric restriction improves memory in elderly humans

Caloric restriction improves memory in elderly humans

Caloric Restriction Increases Learning Consolidation and Facilitates Synaptic Plasticity through Mechanisms Dependent on NR2B Subunits of the NMDA Receptor

Food restriction enhances visual cortex plasticity in adulthood

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