How intermittent fasting can enhance resilience, improve mental and physical performance, and protect against aging and disease.

Most of us eat three meals a day with a smattering of snacks because we think that’s the normal, healthy way to eat. This book shows why that’s not the case. The human body and brain evolved to function well in environments where food could be obtained only intermittently. When we look at the eating patterns of our distant ancestors, we can see that an intermittent fasting eating pattern is normal—and eating three meals a day is not. In The Intermittent Fasting Revolution, prominent neuroscientist Mark Mattson shows that intermittent fasting is not only normal but also good for us; it can enhance our ability to cope with stress by making cells more resilient. It also improves mental and physical performance and protects against aging and disease.

Intermittent fasting is not the latest fad diet; it doesn’t dictate food choice or quantity. It doesn’t make money for the pharmaceutical, processed food, or health care industries. Intermittent fasting is an eating pattern that includes frequent periods of time with little or negligible amounts of food. It is often accompanied by weight loss, but, Mattson says, studies show that its remarkable beneficial effects cannot be accounted for by weight loss alone.

Mattson—whose pioneering research uncovered the ways that the brain responds to fasting and exercise—explains how thriving while fasting became an evolutionary adaptation. He describes the specific ways that intermittent fasting slows aging; reduces the risk of diseases, including obesity, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes; and improves both brain and body performance. He also offers practical advice on adopting an intermittent fasting eating pattern as well as information for parents and physicians.

The term hormesis is de?ned as "a process in which exposure to a low dose of a chemical agent or environmental factor that is damaging at higher doses induces an adaptive bene?cial effect on the cell or organism" (Calabrese et al., 2007; Mattson, 2008). To survive and reproduce in harsh competitive environments, organisms and their cellular components have, through evolution, developed molecular mec- nisms to respond adaptively to various hazards or "stressors" that they encounter. Examples of such stressors include chemicals ingested in food and water (metals, phytochemicals, etc.), increased energy expenditure (running, ?ghting, cognitive challenges, etc.), and reduced energy availability (food scarcity), among others. In most cases, the response of the cell or organism to the stressor exhibits a biphasic dose response, with bene?cial/adaptive responses at low doses (improved fu- tion, increased resistance to damage and disease) and adverse/destructive effects (dysfunction, molecular damage, or even death) at high doses. The prevalence of the biphasic (hormetic) dose response characteristic of biological systems merits consideration of hormesis as a fundamental principle of biology.

In Neuroprotective Signal Transduction prominent researchers and clinicians focus on how inter- and intracellular signaling mechanisms prevent the degeneration and death of neurons occurring in both acute and chronic neurodegenerative disorders. Authoritative contributions dissect the signaling pathways of an array of neuroprotective factors-ranging from neurotrophins (NGF, BDNF, NT-3, and NT-4/5), to growth factors (bFGF, IGF-1, GDNF), to cytokines (TNF, IL-1b, and TGFb), to secreted amyloid precursor proteins, to protease nexin-1. Also treated are cytoprotective signaling events that occur within injured neurons independently of intercellular signals. Neuroprotective Signal Transduction presents fundamental, cutting-edge treatment of the cellular and molecular signal transduction pathways found in human neurodegenerative conditions. The book's elucidation of the molecular cascades evolved by the nervous system to protect itself is now lead to effective strategies for preventing neuronal degeneration in such conditions as stroke, traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and will form the basis for powerful new drug discovery and gene therapy strategies.

Aggression is a highly conserved behavioral adaptation that evolved to help org- isms compete for limited resources and thereby ensure their survival. However, in modern societies where resources such as food, shelter, etc. are not limiting, aggr- sion has become a major cultural problem worldwide presumably because of its deep seeded roots in the neuronal circuits and neurochemical pathways of the human brain. In Neurobiology of Aggression: Understanding and Preventing Violence, leading experts in the fields of the neurobiology, neurochemistry, genetics, and behavioral and cultural aspects of aggression and violence provide a comprehensive collection of review articles on one of the most important cross-disciplinary issues of our time. Rather than summarize the topics covered by each author in each chapter, I present a schematic diagram to guide the reader in thinking about different aspects of aggr- sive and violent behavior from its neurobiological roots to environmental factors that can either promote or prevent aggression to visions of some of the most horrific acts of violence of our times, and then towards the development of strategies to reduce aggressive behavior and prevent violence. It is hoped that Neurobiology of Aggression: Understanding and Preventing V- lence will foster further research aimed at understanding the environmental genetic and neurochemical roots of aggression and how such information can be used to move forward towards the goal of eliminating violence.

As the average life expectancy of many populations throughout the world increases, so to does the incidence of such age-related neurodegenerative disorders as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases. Rapid advances in our understanding of the molecular genetics and environmental factors that either cause or increase risk for age-related neurodegenerative disor ders have been made in the past decade. The ability to evaluate, at the cellular and molecular level, abnormalities in postmortem brain tissue from patients, when taken together with the development of valuable animal and cell-culture models of neurodegenerative disorders has allowed the identification of sequences of events within neurons that result in their demise in specific neurodegenerative disorders. Though the genetic and environmental factors that pro mote neurodegeneration may differ among disorders, shared biochemical cascades that will ultimately lead to the death of neurons have been identified. These cascades involve oxyradical production, aberrant regulation of cellular ion homeostasis and activation of a stereotyped sequence of events involving mitochondrial dysfunction and activa tion of specific proteases. Pathogenesis of Neurodegenerative Disorders provides a timely compilation of articles that encompasses fundamental mechanisms involved in neurodegenerative disorders. In addition, mechanisms that may prevent age-related neurodegenerative disorders are presented. Each chapter is written by an expert in the particular neurodegenerative disorder or mechanism or neuronal death discussed."

Cutting-edge articles review our current understanding of lipid microdomain signaling mechanisms and their physiological and pathological importance. The book describes the role of lipid rafts in learning, memory, and cancer, presents the emerging evidence that lipid rafts play critical roles in signaling pathways and the regulation of synaptic function in the nervous system, and shows how alterations in lipid raft metabolism are implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders. Techniques are also described for the isolation of lipid rafts, the analysis of the lipid and protein components of lipid rafts, the imaging of lipid rafts in living cells, and the analysis of signal transduction in lipid rafts.

Cutting-edge articles review our current understanding of lipid microdomain signaling mechanisms and their physiological and pathological importance. The book describes the role of lipid rafts in learning, memory, and cancer, presents the emerging evidence that lipid rafts play critical roles in signaling pathways and the regulation of synaptic function in the nervous system, and shows how alterations in lipid raft metabolism are implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders. Techniques are also described for the isolation of lipid rafts, the analysis of the lipid and protein components of lipid rafts, the imaging of lipid rafts in living cells, and the analysis of signal transduction in lipid rafts.

Diet-Brain Connections fills a void between the fields of nutrition, behavior and cellular and molecular neurosciences by providing an integrated collection of articles that critically dissect the link between what we eat and how the brain develops and functions in health and disease.
Key topics covered in depth include:

-caloric restriction benefit the brain and retard aging;
-effects of dietary antioxidants on brain function and aging;
-developmental and function consequences of different dietary fatty acids;
-biochemical links between dietary folic acid and psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders;
-effects of nutritional deficit during early development and behavior disorders later in life; -neurochemical basis of the benefits of widely used dietary supplements including creatine and Gingko biloba;
-contribution of dietary toxins such as metals and pesticides to neurological disorders.This book provides an unprecedented resource for scientists in academia and government labs as well as in the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and food industries.

In Neuroprotective Signal Transduction prominent researchers and clinicians focus on how inter- and intracellular signaling mechanisms prevent the degeneration and death of neurons occurring in both acute and chronic neurodegenerative disorders. Authoritative contributions dissect the signaling pathways of an array of neuroprotective factors-ranging from neurotrophins (NGF, BDNF, NT-3, and NT-4/5), to growth factors (bFGF, IGF-1, GDNF), to cytokines (TNF, IL-1b, and TGFb), to secreted amyloid precursor proteins, to protease nexin-1. Also treated are cytoprotective signaling events that occur within injured neurons independently of intercellular signals. Neuroprotective Signal Transduction presents fundamental, cutting-edge treatment of the cellular and molecular signal transduction pathways found in human neurodegenerative conditions. The book's elucidation of the molecular cascades evolved by the nervous system to protect itself is now lead to effective strategies for preventing neuronal degeneration in such conditions as stroke, traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and will form the basis for powerful new drug discovery and gene therapy strategies.

Metabolic Drivers and Bioenergetic Components of Neurodegenerative Disease reviews how the different aspects of metabolic dysfunction and consequent pathology associated with neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, can be targeted by novel treatment approaches. Topics covered include Cellular Senescence in Aging and Age-Related Disorders: Implications for Neurodegenerative Diseases; Repurposing GLP1 agonists for Neurodegenerative Diseases; Ketotherapeutics for Neurodegenerative Diseases; Enhancing Mitophagy as a Therapeutic Approach for Neurodegenerative Diseases; Harnessing Neurogenesis in the Adult Brain - A Role in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Alzheimer's disease; and much more.

Metabolic Drivers and Bioenergetic Components of Neurodegenerative Disease summarizes recent developments in intervention trials in neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, as well as increasing evidence for the overlap between drivers of metabolic and neurodegenerative disease that impact mitochondrial function and bioenergetics, and subsequently cellular function and pathophysiology. Topics covered include Brain Glucose and Ketone Utilization in Brain Ageing and Neurodegenerative Diseases; the Mitochondrial Hypothesis: Dysfunction, Bioenergetic Defects, and the Metabolic Link to Alzheimer's Disease; the Metabolic Impact on Neuroinflammation and Microglial Modulation in Neurodegenerative Diseases, the Impact of Circadian and Diurnal Rhythms on Cellular Metabolic Function and Neurodegenerative Diseases, and much more.

Diet-Brain Connections fills a void between the fields of nutrition, behavior and cellular and molecular neurosciences by providing an integrated collection of articles that critically dissect the link between what we eat and how the brain develops and functions in health and disease.
Key topics covered in depth include:

-caloric restriction benefit the brain and retard aging;
-effects of dietary antioxidants on brain function and aging;
-developmental and function consequences of different dietary fatty acids;
-biochemical links between dietary folic acid and psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders;
-effects of nutritional deficit during early development and behavior disorders later in life; -neurochemical basis of the benefits of widely used dietary supplements including creatine and Gingko biloba;
-contribution of dietary toxins such as metals and pesticides to neurological disorders.This book provides an unprecedented resource for scientists in academia and government labs as well as in the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and food industries.

Aggression is a highly conserved behavioral adaptation that evolved to help org- isms compete for limited resources and thereby ensure their survival. However, in modern societies where resources such as food, shelter, etc. are not limiting, aggr- sion has become a major cultural problem worldwide presumably because of its deep seeded roots in the neuronal circuits and neurochemical pathways of the human brain. In Neurobiology of Aggression: Understanding and Preventing Violence, leading experts in the fields of the neurobiology, neurochemistry, genetics, and behavioral and cultural aspects of aggression and violence provide a comprehensive collection of review articles on one of the most important cross-disciplinary issues of our time. Rather than summarize the topics covered by each author in each chapter, I present a schematic diagram to guide the reader in thinking about different aspects of aggr- sive and violent behavior from its neurobiological roots to environmental factors that can either promote or prevent aggression to visions of some of the most horrific acts of violence of our times, and then towards the development of strategies to reduce aggressive behavior and prevent violence. It is hoped that Neurobiology of Aggression: Understanding and Preventing V- lence will foster further research aimed at understanding the environmental genetic and neurochemical roots of aggression and how such information can be used to move forward towards the goal of eliminating violence.

As the average life expectancy of many populations throughout the world increases, so to does the incidence of such age-related neurodegenerative disorders as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases. Rapid advances in our understanding of the molecular genetics and environmental factors that either cause or increase risk for age-related neurodegenerative disor ders have been made in the past decade. The ability to evaluate, at the cellular and molecular level, abnormalities in postmortem brain tissue from patients, when taken together with the development of valuable animal and cell-culture models of neurodegenerative disorders has allowed the identification of sequences of events within neurons that result in their demise in specific neurodegenerative disorders. Though the genetic and environmental factors that pro mote neurodegeneration may differ among disorders, shared biochemical cascades that will ultimately lead to the death of neurons have been identified. These cascades involve oxyradical production, aberrant regulation of cellular ion homeostasis and activation of a stereotyped sequence of events involving mitochondrial dysfunction and activa tion of specific proteases. Pathogenesis of Neurodegenerative Disorders provides a timely compilation of articles that encompasses fundamental mechanisms involved in neurodegenerative disorders. In addition, mechanisms that may prevent age-related neurodegenerative disorders are presented. Each chapter is written by an expert in the particular neurodegenerative disorder or mechanism or neuronal death discussed."

Alterations in sleep are common manifestations of aging that can lead to significant health problems and contribute to behavioural problems associated with age-related neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Recent advances have revealed key cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in sleep regulation, and this knowledge is helping to advance an understanding of both the normal functions of sleep and the mechanisms responsible for abnormalities in sleep in various neurological conditions and during normal aging. This volume of Advances in Cell Aging and Gerontology brings together chapters by leaders in the fields of sleep research and the neurobiology of aging. The book starts with chapters describing fundamental aspects of the neurocircuitry involved in sleep, patterns of brain activity during the different stages of sleep and disturbances of sleep during aging. The links between depression, anxiety and insomnia are reviewed in regards to the underlying neurochemical alterations that appear to involve abnormalities in neurotransmitter and neurotrophic factor signalling. The evolutionary basis of sleep is reviewed and the emerging evidence supporting a major role for sleep in learning and memory is described. The bulk of the book focuses on specific sleep disorders associated with aging and age-related neurodegenerative disorders. A comprehensive consideration of this topic is woven through a number of chapters that address both basic research and clinical aspects of sleep abnormalities during aging and in disease. The impact of sleep on the immune system is described. The articles are written in a high level of detail and are comprehensive, thus providing valuable information for a range of scientists and other well-educated people. In particular, the book will be a valuable resource for graduate students, postdoctoral and senior scientists in the fields of sleep, aging, neurodegenerative disorders and learning and memory. In addition, clinicians will find this book valuable as it provides a bridge between basic research and the treatment of the patients with sleep disorders.
* Covers the fields of sleep in aging and age-related disease from neurochemistry to the clinic
* Includes detailed summary diagrams that depict key concepts
* Provides views of the future of research on sleep and aging, and the potential for prevention and treatment of various sleep disorders