Energy intake and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Roy Walford, a physician and scientist who pioneered research on the anti-aging effects of caloric restriction and subjected himself to a low-energy diet, recently died from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Information from his case, epidemiological findings, and recent controlled studies in mouse models of ALS suggest that low-energy diets might render motor neurons vulnerable to degeneration, whereas high-energy diets are ameliorative. This contrasts with the effects of low-energy diets on various neuronal populations in the brain that respond adaptively, activating pathways that promote plasticity and resistance to disease. One reason that motor neurons might be selectively vulnerable to low-energy diets is that they are unable to engage neuroprotective responses to energetic stress response involving the protein chaperones, such as, heat-shock protein-70.
Mattson
Mark P
MP
Laboratory of Neurosciences, National Institute on Aging Intramural Research Program, 5600 Nathan Shock Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA. mattsonm@grc.nia.nih.gov
Cutler
Roy G
RG
Camandola
Simonetta
S
D000375:Aging; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology; D000818:Animals; D031204:Caloric Restriction; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019422:Dietary Sucrose / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002149:Energy Intake; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D009154:Mutation; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000235:genetics; D015996:Survival Rate
D004041:Dietary Fats; D019422:Dietary Sucrose; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase