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# Caloric restriction keeps the brain young - new study
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/caloric_restriction_1219110332/
- Published: 2011-12-19T16:30:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T15:59:11.000Z
- Description: Giovambattista Pani's team found that cutting calories activates a molecule called CREB1 in mice, which in turn switches on sirtuins and other genes tied to longevity, memory and learning. The researchers now hope to find drugs that activate CREB1 without restricting food.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Other Diseases, Avoiding Illness, Caloric Restriction, #vivvo-import

By David Liu, PHD

Monday Dec 19, 2011 (foodconsumer.org) -- Eating less than what you are supposed to eat or following a low caloric or calorie-restricted diet may help delay the brain aging and prevent the development of some diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and diabetes among other conditions.

The study led by Giovambattista Pani of the Catholic University of Sacred Heart in Rome, Italy and colleagues found that caloric restriction can activate a molecule called CREB1 in mice. The protein in turn activates many genes linked to longevity and normal functions of the brain.

The purpose of the study was to find drugs that can activate CREB1 without restricting caloric intake, Dr. Pani said.

Caloric restriction, which means animals can eat up to 70 percent of calories they can consume normally, is known to extend lifespan in many experimental animal models including fruit flies, worms, and mice.

It has been known that mice subject to caloric restriction won't become obese, don't develop diseases like diabetes and dementia like Alzheimer's disease, have enhanced cognitive performance and memory and they are less aggressive. Animals subject to caloric restriction keep the brain young.

Obesity, which is caused by higher intake of calories than necessary, is known to be bad for the brain. It can cause early brain aging and makes it easier for older people to develop Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

The research team discovered that CREB1 after being activated by caloric restriction mediates the benefits of the diet on the brain by activating on another group of compounds linked to longevity, the sirtuins. CREB1 is known to regulate important brain functions such as memory, learning and anxiety control. These functions are compromised by the aging process.

The researchers determined that CREB1 compound is essential to make caloric restriction work on the brain. In fact they found that mice without CREB1 gene, caloric restriction does not help keep their brains young.

The study again confirms that caloric restriction is an important way for people to not only keep individuals healthy, help them live longer, but also delay the brain aging.