A 12-week clinical trial explores time-restricted eating’s potential to enhance mitochondrial function and reduce oxidative stress in early-stage Huntington’s disease.
A new clinical trial investigates whether time-restricted eating can slow Huntington’s disease progression by improving cellular health.
Groundbreaking Trial Tests Time-Restricted Eating in Huntington’s Disease
Researchers are launching a pioneering 12-week clinical trial to evaluate time-restricted eating (TRE) in early-stage Huntington’s disease (HD) patients. The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), builds on compelling animal data showing TRE improved motor function in HD mice by 15% in a 2023 pilot study.
The Science Behind TRE and Neurodegeneration
Recent findings published in The Lancet
(June 2024) revealed TRE reduced inflammation markers by 30% in neurodegenerative patients. This metabolic intervention may create a protective environment for neurons by enhancing autophagy and reducing oxidative stress,
explained Dr. Sarah Matthews, lead author of the Lancet study.
The trial will track key biomarkers including:
- Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels
- Glutathione concentrations
- Mitochondrial function markers
Synergy With Emerging HD Therapies
Notably, the FDA fast-tracked a TRE-based HD therapy in May 2024 after animal studies demonstrated reduced mutant huntingtin aggregation. When combined with RNA-targeting drugs, TRE might enhance huntingtin clearance through metabolic synchronization,
noted Dr. Raymond Chang in a JAMA Neurology editorial.
Practical Implementation for HD Patients
The trial protocol recommends:
- 8-hour eating windows tailored to individual energy needs
- Gradual adaptation over 2-3 weeks
- Use of wearable tech (like Levels) to monitor metabolic responses
Parallel research in Parkinson’s disease (published in Nature, June 2024) suggests TRE may slow neurodegeneration by 20%, offering hope for similar outcomes in HD.
