Effects of lipid intake on sleep and improvement of pathology in a dementia model mouse

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K05900
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 38050:Food sciences-related
• Research Institution: Nihon University
• Principal Investigator: HOSONO Takashi 日本大学, 生物資源科学部, 准教授 (80445741)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 睡眠障害 / 高脂肪食 / 摂餌行動 / 概日リズム / 認知症 / アルツハイマー病

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In the study, we clarified the relationship between lipid intake and sleep disturbance. Mice fed a high-fat diet containing lard showed feeding behavior in both dark and light periods. The feeding patterns differed depending on the type of lipid. However, even mice with feeding behavior in the light period did not show sleep disturbances with disrupted circadian rhythms. Perpetual Avoidance from Water on a Wheel stress (PAWW stress) reduced the activity in the dark period and reciprocally increased the activity in the light period with disrupted circadian rhythms. Future studies are needed to determine the effects of circadian rhythm abnormalities on cognitive function by applying PAWW stress to dementia model mice.

Free Research Field

栄養生理、神経科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

概日リズムの異常を伴う睡眠障害は、多大な経済的損失を伴う。近年、睡眠が脳内の老廃物排出に関与することが報告され、睡眠障害はアルツハイマー病の発症リスクを増大させることにつながると予想されている。本研究では、マウスに多くの脂質を摂取させることで明期の摂餌行動が認められたものの、概日リズムの異常を引き起こすことはなかった。今後は、睡眠障害を誘発するモデルとアルツハイマー病モデルマウスを組み合わせることで、睡眠障害と認知機能低下の直接的な関係を明らかにすることにより、認知症の予防に貢献していきたい。