Understanding how fasting and calorie limits affect aging and Alzheimer’s risk
Official title: Understanding the roles of prolonged fasting, calorie intake, and mTORC1 in the response to calorie restriction
Funded at University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-11378175 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A scientist at a leading university is studying how fasting and reduced calories influence aging processes and the development of Alzheimer’s disease in mice, with the goal of finding safer ways to protect brain health in aging people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $602,787 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG094153-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11378175 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals at risk for aging-related cognitive decline or Alzheimer’s who could benefit from future translation of dietary strategies or biomarkers identified in the study.
✕Less likely to help
People without interest in or ability to adhere to dietary intervention concepts may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project will compare different feeding schedules, including prolonged daily fasting, to see how calorie intake and fasting separately impact lifespan, metabolic health, and brain aging in mice. By measuring healthspan, frailty, and Alzheimer’s-related markers, researchers aim to uncover mechanisms linking aging and neurodegeneration. The work is designed to translate basic aging biology into potential strategies that could reduce Alzheimer’s risk or progression in humans. The study uses well-established mouse models and controlled feeding regimens to dissect how fasting and calories contribute to health outcomes related to aging and Alzheimer’s disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could reveal new avenues to delay or prevent Alzheimer’s-related changes through safer dietary approaches.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that caloric restriction and fasting can improve health markers in animals, with emerging evidence suggesting relevance to aging and brain health.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lamming, Dudley William — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Lamming, Dudley William
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.