Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2025
09:26
Disruption of Frontal Lobe Neural Synchrony During Cognitive Control by Alcohol Intoxication
Published on: February 6, 2019
18.8K
Assessing causality in the association between neurocognitive gains and fasting
M H AlSheikh1, R S AlAtrash, K A Aldajani
1Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia. shahidbpk13@gmail.com.
European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences
|February 3, 2023
Summary
Fasting shows promise for improving cognitive function and supporting brain health. This review highlights evidence linking fasting to enhanced memory and visuospatial processing, suggesting neuroplasticity as a key mechanism.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Metabolic research
Background:
- Fasting is increasingly recognized for its positive effects on cognitive function and weight management in both human and animal studies.
- The link between fasting, brain health, and cognitive performance is a growing area of research interest.
- Aging populations and increased prevalence of neurological disorders necessitate research into cost-effective health maintenance strategies.
Approach:
- A comprehensive literature review was conducted using major scientific databases: The Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Google Scholar.
- Studies were identified using keywords such as "impact of fasting", "cognitive function", and "brain stimulation" to ensure a broad scope.
- The review focused on evidence supporting the association between various fasting protocols and cognitive enhancements.
Key Points:
- Evidence suggests fasting positively impacts cognitive tests, particularly those assessing memory and visuospatial processing.
- These cognitive improvements are often linked to enhanced hippocampal function.
- Neuroplasticity is proposed as a significant underlying mechanism for the cognitive benefits observed during fasting.
Conclusions:
- Fasting demonstrates a positive association with enhanced cognitive performance.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the mechanisms driving these cognitive improvements.
- Understanding the role of fasting in brain health may offer novel strategies for managing age-related cognitive decline and neurological disorders.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Metabolic States of the Body: Fasting and Starvation
1.6K
During the initial hours of fasting, the body uses up its glycogen stores as an energy source. Once these glycogen reserves are depleted, the body begins breaking down stored triglycerides and structural proteins. During this stage, glycerol becomes a key substrate for gluconeogenesis, while free fatty acids undergo beta-oxidation to provide energy for tissues, such as skeletal muscle. In the fasting state, the body spares protein breakdown as much as possible to conserve muscle and structural...
1.6K
01:18Metabolic States of the Body: The Postabsorptive State
429
The postabsorptive state usually starts about four hours after a meal and lasts until the next meal is eaten. During this time, the digestive system stops absorbing nutrients, and the body uses stored energy reserves to maintain stable blood glucose levels.
Initially, glycogen stored in the liver is broken down to release glucose into the bloodstream, while glycogen in the muscles is broken down to supply glucose for energy directly within the muscle cells. As glycogen stores diminish,...
Initially, glycogen stored in the liver is broken down to release glucose into the bloodstream, while glycogen in the muscles is broken down to supply glucose for energy directly within the muscle cells. As glycogen stores diminish,...
429