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[A1CR]

Here is study of CR's impact on the rodent model of Alzheimer's disease. Preview: it looks like very good news for CRONies -- rodents or humans! MR comments (from January 13, 2005) below...

((1) below), a new FASEB Journal study (2) confirms the result and gives
us new insight into the mechanism. The original paper noted that

"We report that a CR dietary regimen prevents Abeta peptides generation
and neuritic plaque deposition in the brain of a mouse model of AD
neuropathology through mechanisms associated with promotion of
anti-amyloidogenic alpha-secretase activity."

The deal here: the body routinely makes a substance called "amyloid
precursor protein" (APP), whose normal physiological function is
unknown. Beta-amyloid -- the gunk that forms the famous amyloid plaques
-- is formed when APP is snipped free of the membrane by two enzymes:
beta and gamma secretase. Alpha-secretase also snips APP, but the
resulting peptide is not pathogenic.

This means that CR is not (or not only) protecting neurons from the
damage of beta-amyloid leading to cell lysis and plaque formation, but
is actively reducing beta-amyloid formation. " Study findings support
existing epidemiological evidence indicating that caloric intake may
influence risk for AD and raises the possibility that CR may be used in
preventative measures aimed at delaying the onset of AD amyloid
neuropathology." (2)

-MR


1. Nilay V. Patel, Marcia N. Gordon, Karen E. Connor, Robert A. Good,
Robert W. Engelman, Jerimiah Mason, David G. Morgan, Todd E. Morgan
Caloric restriction attenuates Abeta-deposition in Alzheimer transgenic
models
Neurobiology of Aging
Article in Press, Corrected Proof
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2004.09.014

2. Caloric restriction attenuates ߭amyloid neuropathology in a mouse
model of Alzheimer's disease
Jun Wang, Lap Ho, Weiping Qin, Anne B. Rocher, Ilana Seror, Nelson
Humala, Kruti Maniar, Georgia Dolios, Rong Wang, CRON4healthyfuture R. Hof, and
Giulio Maria Pasinetti
FASEB Journal Express Article doi:10.1096/fj.04-3182fje
http://www.fasebj.org/cgi/content/abstract/04-3182fjev1