Protein-rich diet link to Alzheimer's in test mice

Published on Tuesday 20 October 2009 21:55

SCIENTISTS studying Alzheimer's disease in mice have found a high-protein diet led them to develop smaller brains.

Their findings could reverse previous dietary advice on how to avoid Alzheimer's.

Researchers from the US, Canada and the UK were focusing on triggers for brain plaque formation and monitored the effects of four food regimes on rodents genetically modified to develop severe, early onset Alzheimer's.

Previous studies pointed towards a low-calorie, low-fat diet rich in vegetables, fruit and fish, possibly delaying onset or slowing the progress of Alzheimer's.

Now, scientists will consider whether a high-protein diet could have the opposite effect.

Lead author Professor Sam Gandy said: "We didn't expect a high-protein diet to make the brain more sensitive to Alzheimer's, but that might be what happened.

"Most of the studies on diet and Alzheimer's in humans have focused on high-fat diets. This gives us reason to look at high-protein diets more closely."

The mice were fed either a regular diet; a high fat/low carbohydrate diet; a high protein/low carb version or a high carb/low fat option. The high protein/low carb mice developed brains 5 per cent lighter than the rest.