Early Time-Restricted Eating, Circadian Alignment, and Cognitive Preservation in Older Adults: A Neurobiological Hypothesis.
- 1IBMR School Clinic, Escola de Ciências da Saúde, Centro Universitário IBMR, Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro 22631-002, RJ, Brazil.
- 2Health Informatics Laboratory (LabInfoS), Departamento de Ciências Médicas Integradas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Centro Biomédico, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Cabo Frio 28905-320, RJ, Brazil.
Abstract
Nearly half of dementia cases are attributed to fourteen modifiable risk factors listed by the 2024 Lancet Commission; meal timing is not among them. Disrupted daily (circadian) rhythms are linked to faster neurodegeneration, yet it is unknown whether meal timing affects cognitive ageing. We review the evidence for the hypothesis that early time-restricted eating (eTRE) helps preserve cognition in older adults. We define eTRE as eating within a window of no more than 10 h, with at least 80% of daily energy eaten before 16:00. We evaluate three candidate pathways: daily rhythms in the removal of amyloid-beta and tau from the brain (glymphatic clearance), daily rhythms that keep brain inflammation low, and clock genes that support memory-related plasticity in the hippocampus. Nutrient-sensing and gut microbiota pathways are considered as alternatives. An AI co-scientist analysis, checked by the authors, suggested a "Dual-Gating" model: finishing meals early may lower nervous-system arousal and insulin levels at night, and both changes may favour brain clearance during sleep. We outline a three-arm trial (eTRE, late time-restricted eating, habitual eating) that tests whether any cognitive benefit is explained by changes in markers of clearance and inflammation. Meal timing remains a candidate exposure that needs prospective testing.
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BibTeX
@article{lima2026early,
title = {{Early Time-Restricted Eating, Circadian Alignment, and Cognitive Preservation in Older Adults: A Neurobiological Hypothesis.}},
author = {Bianca Farias Lima and Gioconda Ferreira and Fernanda de Oliveira Calvente and Yasmin da Silva Costa and Mariana Alencar and Jhenifer de Paiva Quadros and Hércules Rezende Freitas},
journal = {NeuroSci},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.3390/neurosci7050106},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42931253},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Early Time-Restricted Eating, Circadian Alignment, and Cognitive Preservation in Older Adults: A Neurobiological Hypothesis.
AU - Bianca Farias Lima
AU - Gioconda Ferreira
AU - Fernanda de Oliveira Calvente
AU - Yasmin da Silva Costa
AU - Mariana Alencar
AU - Jhenifer de Paiva Quadros
AU - Hércules Rezende Freitas
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/30
JO - NeuroSci
DO - 10.3390/neurosci7050106
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42931253
AB - Nearly half of dementia cases are attributed to fourteen modifiable risk factors listed by the 2024 Lancet Commission; meal timing is not among them. Disrupted daily (circadian) rhythms are linked to faster neurodegeneration, yet it is unknown whether meal timing affects cognitive ageing. We review the evidence for the hypothesis that early time-restricted eating (eTRE) helps preserve cognition in older adults. We define eTRE as eating within a window of no more than 10 h, with at least 80% of daily energy eaten before 16:00. We evaluate three candidate pathways: daily rhythms in the removal of amyloid-beta and tau from the brain (glymphatic clearance), daily rhythms that keep brain inflammation low, and clock genes that support memory-related plasticity in the hippocampus. Nutrient-sensing and gut microbiota pathways are considered as alternatives. An AI co-scientist analysis, checked by the authors, suggested a "Dual-Gating" model: finishing meals early may lower nervous-system arousal and insulin levels at night, and both changes may favour brain clearance during sleep. We outline a three-arm trial (eTRE, late time-restricted eating, habitual eating) that tests whether any cognitive benefit is explained by changes in markers of clearance and inflammation. Meal timing remains a candidate exposure that needs prospective testing.
SN - 2673-4087
ER -