Association of low meal frequency with decreased in vivo Alzheimer's pathology

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Gerontology
• Metabolic research

Background:

• The relationship between meal frequency and Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology in humans remains largely unexplored.
• Dietary patterns, including meal frequency, may influence neurodegenerative processes.
• Ghrelin, a hormone associated with hunger, is being investigated for its role in metabolic and neurological functions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between low meal frequency (LMF) and in vivo Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology in the human brain.
• To examine whether serum ghrelin levels mediate the relationship between LMF and AD pathology.
• To explore the impact of meal frequency on cerebral beta-amyloid (Aβ) and tau deposition, glucose metabolism, and cerebrovascular injury.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 411 non-demented older adults was studied.
• Participants underwent systematic interviews to determine dietary patterns, specifically meal frequency.
• Multi-modal neuroimaging techniques were employed to assess cerebral Aβ and tau deposition, glucose metabolism, and cerebrovascular injury.

Main Results:

• Low meal frequency (less than three meals per day) was significantly associated with reduced cerebral beta-amyloid (Aβ) deposition compared to high meal frequency.
• Both low meal frequency and reduced Aβ deposition were significantly correlated with elevated serum ghrelin levels.
• These findings suggest a potential link between eating patterns and AD biomarkers.

Conclusions:

• Low meal frequency may be associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease, potentially mediated by decreased brain amyloid deposition.
• Serum ghrelin appears to play a mediating role in the association between low meal frequency and lower amyloid deposition.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying these associations and their clinical implications.