Different intermittent fasting regimens decrease anxious and depressive-like behaviour, but show damage to brain...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Behavioral Science
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Intermittent fasting (IF) is studied for body composition but its effects on behavior and brain health in healthy populations are less understood.
• Previous research primarily focused on IF's impact on physical health, leaving behavioral and neurological consequences underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the behavioral and cerebral effects of various intermittent fasting regimens in healthy rats.
• To compare the outcomes of different IF protocols against caloric restriction.

Main Methods:

• Adult Wistar rats were assigned to five groups: control, caloric restriction (CR), time-restricted feeding (TRF), alternate-day fasting (ADF), and alternate-day modified fasting (ADMF).
• The study involved a four-week evaluation period for all experimental groups.

Main Results:

• Alternate-day fasting (ADF) and alternate-day modified fasting (ADMF) led to the greatest weight reduction and decreased depressive-like behavior.
• Time-restricted feeding (TRF) was effective in reducing anxiety-like behavior.
• All experimental groups exhibited some degree of brain tissue damage, with ADF showing the most significant NF-κB marking.

Conclusions:

• While intermittent fasting (IF) regimens demonstrated behavioral benefits, including reduced depressive and anxiety-like behaviors, they were associated with adverse effects on brain tissue.
• Specific IF protocols like ADF and ADMF impacted weight and depressive behaviors, while TRF targeted anxiety behaviors.
• The findings highlight a trade-off between behavioral improvements and potential neurological harm with IF, warranting further investigation.