The effect of caloric restriction on working memory in healthy non-obese adults.

Emilie Leclerc, Alisson Paulino Trevizol, Ruth B Grigolon, Mehala Subramaniapillai, Roger S McIntyre, Elisa Brietzke, Rodrigo B Mansur

Journal: CNS spectrums 2021;25(1):2-8

PMID: 30968820

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE

We aim to evaluate the effect of caloric restriction (CR) in cognition by comparing performance in neuropsychological tests for working memory between a group of non-obese healthy subjects doing CR for 2 years with another consuming ad libitum diet (AL).

METHODS

This study was part of a larger multicenter trial called CALERIE that consisted of a randomized clinical trial with parallel-group comparing 2 years of 25% CR and AL in 220 volunteers with a BMI between 22 and 28 kg/m2, across 3 sites. The cognitive tests used were the Cambridge Neuropsychological Tests Automated Battery (CANTAB) for Spatial Working Memory (SWM) including the total number of errors (SWMTE) and strategy (SWMS). Included as possible moderators were sleep quality, mood states, perceived stress, and energy expenditure. Analyses were performed at baseline and months 12 and 24.

RESULTS

After adjustments, there was a significantly greater improvement in working memory assessed by the SWM for CR individuals, compared to AL. At month 24, it was related mostly to lower protein intake, compared to other macronutrients. Changes in SWM were moderated by changes in sleep quality, physical activity, and energy expenditure.

CONCLUSION

On the long term, CR in healthy individuals seems to have a slightly positive effect on working memory. The study of brain CR targets opens new possibilities to prevent and treat cognitive deficits.

Address: Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Research Group in Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience of Bipolar Disorder, Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, SP, Brazil.; Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit (MDPU), University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.; University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.; Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit (MDPU), University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.; University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.; Brain and Cognition Discovery Foundation, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.; Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Research Group in Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience of Bipolar Disorder, Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, SP, Brazil.; Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit (MDPU), University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

DOI: 10.1017/S1092852918001566

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MeSH Terms: Adult, Brain, Caloric Restriction, Cognition, Female, Healthy Volunteers, Humans, Male, Memory, Short-Term, Middle Aged