Can Reducing Calories Slow Down the Aging of the Brain?

 As we age, our brains naturally undergo changes, and certain functions like memory and learning tend to decline. Past research has suggested that adopting a healthy lifestyle, including proper nutrition, can slow down this process. Now, scientists from the Buck Institute for Research on Aging have discovered that restricting food intake may also play a role in protecting the aging brain.

The research pinpointed a specific gene that benefits from calorie restriction, supporting essential processes for healthy brain aging. Dr. Lisa Ellerby, a professor at the Buck Institute and co-senior author of the study, explained that exploring the impact of calorie restriction on brain aging is vital. The brain is particularly vulnerable during aging, and understanding protective factors influenced by dietary restrictions is significant.

According to Dr. Ellerby, many people practice forms of caloric restriction, such as intermittent fasting, making it essential to comprehend how these efforts might affect brain aging. The study suggests that restricting calories may help shield the brain from aging-related issues.

In their investigation, researchers utilized fruit fly models and human cells to explore the impact of calorie restriction on brain aging. By studying 160 different fly strains with varying genetic backgrounds, they identified five genes, including one corresponding to the oxidation resistance 1 (OXR1) gene in humans and rodents.

The OXR1 gene, linked to conditions like Parkinson's disease, was found to influence the retromer, a cellular complex responsible for recycling proteins and lipids. Dr. Ellerby noted that this discovery challenges previous beliefs about the role of OXR1, indicating its involvement in cellular recycling rather than just responding to oxidative stress.

The study suggests that manipulating the levels of OXR1 could be a potential therapeutic strategy for slowing down aging and age-related neurodegenerative diseases. Dr. Ellerby and her colleagues are planning further research to identify small molecules that can increase OXR1 expression for potential therapeutic use.

In response to the study, Dr. Clifford Segil, a neurologist, emphasized the need for more extensive studies to understand the link between diet, calorie restriction, and brain aging. While acknowledging the challenges of translating findings from fruit fly models to humans, Dr. Segil highlighted the potential benefits of dietary and caloric restriction, suggesting they are worth exploring for promoting overall health and preventing neurodegenerative diseases.

He also proposed collaboration between scientists studying fruit flies and those working with human patients using injectable weight loss medications, such as GLP-1 agents, to gather comprehensive clinical data on the impact of dietary restriction on brain health

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