Journal Article

DZNE-2025-00613

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Intermittent fasting reduces alpha-synuclein pathology and functional decline in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease.

Szegő, É. M. (First author)DZNE* ; Höfs, L.DZNE* ; Antoniou, A.Extern* ; Dinter, E.DZNE* ; Bernhardt, N. ; Schneider, A.DZNE* ; Di Monte, D. A.DZNE* ; Falkenburger, B. (Last author)DZNE*

2025
Springer Nature [London]

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1038/s41467-025-59249-5

Abstract: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by dopaminergic neuron degeneration and α-synuclein (aSyn) accumulation. Environmental factors play a significant role in PD progression, highlighting the potential of non-pharmacological interventions. This study investigates the therapeutic effects of intermittent fasting (IF) in an rAAV-aSyn mouse model of PD. IF, initiated four weeks post-induction of aSyn pathology, improved motor function and reduced dopaminergic neuron and axon terminal degeneration. Additionally, IF preserved dopamine levels and synaptic integrity in the striatum. Mechanistically, IF enhanced autophagic activity, promoting phosphorylated-aSyn clearance and reducing its accumulation in insoluble brain fractions. Transcriptome analysis revealed IF-induced modulation of inflammation-related genes and microglial activation. Validation in primary cultures confirmed that autophagy activation and inflammatory modulators (CCL17, IL-36RN) mitigate aSyn pathology. These findings suggest that IF exerts neuroprotective effects, supporting further exploration of IF and IF-mimicking therapies as potential PD treatments.

Keyword(s): Animals (MeSH) ; alpha-Synuclein: metabolism (MeSH) ; alpha-Synuclein: genetics (MeSH) ; Parkinson Disease: metabolism (MeSH) ; Parkinson Disease: pathology (MeSH) ; Parkinson Disease: therapy (MeSH) ; Parkinson Disease: genetics (MeSH) ; Fasting: physiology (MeSH) ; Disease Models, Animal (MeSH) ; Mice (MeSH) ; Dopaminergic Neurons: metabolism (MeSH) ; Dopaminergic Neurons: pathology (MeSH) ; Male (MeSH) ; Autophagy (MeSH) ; Mice, Inbred C57BL (MeSH) ; Dopamine: metabolism (MeSH) ; Humans (MeSH) ; Corpus Striatum: metabolism (MeSH) ; Corpus Striatum: pathology (MeSH) ; Microglia: metabolism (MeSH) ; Intermittent Fasting (MeSH) ; alpha-Synuclein ; Dopamine

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Translational Parkinson Research (AG Falkenburger)
2. Neurodegeneration and Neuroprotection in Parkinson´s Disease (AG Di Monte)
3. Translational Dementia Research (Bonn) (AG Schneider)

Research Program(s):

1. 353 - Clinical and Health Care Research (POF4-353) (POF4-353)
2. 352 - Disease Mechanisms (POF4-352) (POF4-352)

Appears in the scientific report 2025

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