scientists of back laboratory They have made breakthrough discoveries in the areas of cognitive health, brain aging, and longevity. This study focused on the role of dietary restriction (eating less) in slowing cognitive decline and extending human lifespan.
Experts have identified a neuron-specific response mediated by a gene called OXR1, which is enhanced by strategies such as intermittent fasting and low-calorie diets.
Dr Kenneth Wilson, lead author of the study, said: ‘When we restrict food intake, we generally think that it affects the gastrointestinal tract and fat storage, but what effect does that have on the brain? “That’s not necessarily the case as to whether it will be given.” “As it turns out, this is an important gene in the brain.”
How eating less can help you live longer
The study, conducted in Drosophila melanogaster and human cells, reveals how dietary restriction slows aging and slows the progression of neurodegenerative brain diseases.
“We discovered a neuron-specific response that mediates the neuroprotection of dietary restriction,” he said. Professor Pankaj Kapahi.
“Strategies that restrict nutrients, such as intermittent fasting and calorie restriction, may increase levels of this gene and mediate its protective effects.”
professor back Lisa Ellerbee“This gene is an important brain resiliency factor that protects against aging and neurological disease,” added the study’s co-senior author.
The Buck team had previously established that; Lifespan and healthy lifespan This can be improved by dietary restriction, but the response to calorie reduction is found to vary widely among individuals and organizations. The current study was undertaken to investigate the reasons for this variation.
The experts scanned about 200 strains of flies with different genetic backgrounds and diets. They identified five genes, including two with human genetic counterparts, that significantly influenced longevity under dietary restriction.
Dietary restrictions and brain health
The researchers focused on the fruit fly ‘mustard’ (mtd) gene and its human equivalent, OXR1, to investigate its role in protecting cells from oxidative damage.
Deletion of OXR1 in humans leads to severe neurological deficits and early death, whereas excess of OXR1 in mice enhances survival in ALS models.
The relationship between brain aging, neurodegeneration, and longevity was further investigated through detailed examination.
OXR1 was found to affect the retromer complex, which is important for cellular protein and lipid recycling and neuronal maintenance.
As confirmed by the research team’s findings, this pathway is essential for protecting neurons under nutrient limitation.
“Retromer is an important mechanism in neurons because it determines the fate of all proteins brought into the cell,” Wilson said.
Retromer dysfunction is associated with age-related brain problems such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, and can be prevented with dietary restriction.
Survey results and implications
Research led by Kapahi’s team revealed that dietary habits play a crucial role in brain health and longevity. Their discovery rests on the finding that dietary restriction significantly slows brain aging.
This primarily occurs through the activity of a gene known as mtd/OXR1. This gene plays an important role in maintaining retromer, a cellular pathway involved in protein recycling.
Professor Kapahi explains: “This study shows that the retromer pathway, which helps recycle cellular proteins, is essential for protecting neurons under nutrient-limited conditions.”
The research team’s research shows that mtd/OXR1 is important not only for maintaining retromer function, but also for maintaining neuronal health, promoting healthy brain aging, and extending lifespan under dietary restriction. It shows.
Further investigating the effects of diet on this gene, Wilson says: “Diet has an effect on this gene. By eating less, the cells increase the expression of OXR1, which actually strengthens the mechanisms by which proteins are sorted properly within the cell.”
Eat less, live smarter and live longer
The researchers also found that increasing mtd levels in flies led to longer lifespans. This finding led the researchers to speculate that increased expression of OXR1 may have a similar survival benefit in humans.
In summary, the findings of this study suggest that dietary choices have a profound impact on cellular health, brain function, and longevity.
“Our next step is to identify specific compounds that increase OXR1 levels during aging and slow brain aging,” Dr. Ellerbee reveals, suggesting potential for future therapeutic development. are doing.
Wilson also reflected on the broader implications of the study, saying, “I hope this study gives us more ideas about why our brains degenerate in the first place.” Masu. This statement highlights the quest for a deeper understanding of the brain aging process.
In his closing remarks, Wilson emphasizes that diet has the biggest impact. “What you eat affects every process in your body. What you eat affects you more than you realize, so I think this study supports efforts to continue eating healthy.”
This statement is a reminder that our dietary choices have a far-reaching impact on not only our brain health, but our overall well-being.
The research will be published in a journal nature communications.
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