A new UCSF clinical trial explores time-restricted eating’s neuroprotective potential in Huntington’s disease, building on recent mitochondrial function research.
Researchers at UCSF are testing whether restricting eating to 10-hour windows can slow Huntington’s disease progression through enhanced mitochondrial efficiency.
The Dawn of Chrono-Neuroprotection
Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco have launched a groundbreaking clinical trial (NCT05845642) investigating time-restricted eating (TRE) in early-stage Huntington’s disease patients. The study, which began enrollment in September 2023, implements a strict 10-hour eating window protocol based on preliminary evidence that circadian-aligned feeding may enhance mitochondrial function and reduce oxidative stress – two key pathological mechanisms in Huntington’s disease.
Mechanistic Rationale
A July 2023 meta-analysis published in Nature Aging
demonstrated TRE improved mitochondrial efficiency by 18-22% across various neurodegenerative models. What’s remarkable is that the timing of food intake appears to influence neuronal survival independently of dietary composition,
noted Dr. Satchidananda Panda of the Salk Institute, whose 2022 study in Cell Metabolism
first identified TRE’s effects on mutant huntingtin protein clearance.
Trial Design Innovations
The UCSF trial incorporates advanced biomarkers including 24-hour cortisol rhythms and NAD+ levels to track neuroprotection. We’re moving beyond just monitoring disease symptoms to capturing real-time metabolic changes,
explained principal investigator Dr. Alanna Kaplan in a September 2023 press release. The study also uses novel actigraphy methods to verify compliance with eating windows.
Patient Perspectives
A September 2023 survey by the Huntington’s Disease Society revealed 68% of patients express interest in dietary interventions but lack clinical guidance. Most current management focuses on pharmacology, leaving patients to navigate nutrition alone,
observed advocacy director Kathleen Shannon in the organization’s annual report.
Cautious Optimism
While the Michael J. Fox Foundation’s recent $2 million investment in circadian research for Parkinson’s reflects growing enthusiasm for timing-based therapies, experts urge caution. TRE isn’t appropriate for all patients, particularly those with diabetes or eating disorders,
warned neurologist Dr. Carlos Estevez in an October 2023 editorial in Movement Disorders Journal
.
Future Directions
The research community anticipates the trial’s first results in late 2024, which may establish TRE as the first non-pharmacological intervention to modify Huntington’s disease progression. Parallel studies are already planned for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s populations, signaling a potential paradigm shift in neurodegenerative disease management.
