The 5:2 diet does not increase adult hippocampal neurogenesis or enhance spatial memory in mice
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ABSTRACT: New neurones are generated throughout life in the mammalian brain in a process known as adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN). Since this phenomenon grants a high degree of neuroplasticity influencing learning and memory, identifying factors that regulate AHN may be important for ameliorating age-related cognitive decline. Calorie restriction (CR) has been shown to enhance AHN and improve memory, mediated by the stomach hormone, ghrelin. Intermittent fasting (IF), a dietary strategy offering more flexibility than conventional CR, has also been shown to promote aspects of AHN. The 5:2 diet is a popular form of IF, however its effects on AHN are not well characterised. To address this, we quantified AHN in adolescent and adult wild-type and ghrelin-receptor-deficient mice following six weeks on a 5:2 diet. We report an age-related decline in neurogenic processes. However, the 5:2 diet does not increase AHN nor enhance memory performance, suggesting that this specific form of IF is ineffective in promoting brain plasticity to support learning.
SUBMITTER: Dr. Luke, David Roberts
PROVIDER: S-SCDT-10_15252-EMBR_202357269 | biostudies-other |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other
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