Intermittent fasting has become one of the most talked-about approaches in the world of health and longevity—hailed for its metabolic, inflammatory, and even cognitive benefits. But recent research suggests it may be doing even more than we thought: strengthening motor coordination and supporting the brain’s physical structure in aging.
A new study in mice reveals that restricting food intake to a daily window—commonly called time-restricted eating—not only improves physical function in older animals but also stimulates protective changes within the brain’s myelin sheath, a critical factor in neural communication and movement control.
Let’s dive into what this means, how it works, and what the implications might be for human aging and performance.
The Brain’s Wiring: Myelin as the Conductor
To understand why this research matters, we need to start with a brief primer on myelin.
Neurons communicate through long extensions called axons, which transmit electrical signals throughout the nervous system. These axons are insulated by myelin—a fatty, protein-rich sheath that ensures the rapid, efficient flow of these messages. Think of myelin as the plastic coating around electrical wires; without it, signals leak or slow down.
As we age, myelin degrades. This process is implicated in many forms of neurodegeneration and motor decline, and it plays a role in diseases like multiple sclerosis. The proteins MBP (myelin basic protein) and MAG (myelin-associated glycoprotein) are two major components that support healthy myelinationindex (5).
Could lifestyle choices like diet influence the regeneration of this neural insulation?
Fasting: More Than a Metabolic Hack
Intermittent fasting—especially the form known as time-restricted eating—has shown widespread benefits in animal models and growing promise in human trials. It has been linked to:
- Improved insulin sensitivity
- Reduced inflammation
- Enhanced cellular repair via autophagy
- Protection against age-related diseases
However, most studies focus on metabolic health or cognitive function. The current study shifts the spotlight to motor coordination and structural brain integrity, offering a new dimension to fasting’s potential benefitsindex (5).
Inside the Study: Testing Balance and Brain Health
Researchers conducted an experiment using three groups of mice:
- Young controls
- Aged controls with unrestricted diets
- Aged mice placed on an intermittent fasting schedule (eating only within a 6-hour window daily) for 10 weeks
After the fasting period, the animals underwent a series of physical and neurological assessments.
Wire Hanging and Running Tests
Older mice on intermittent fasting performed better on grip strength tests, such as wire hanging, and showed trends toward greater endurance and running speed compared to age-matched controlsindex (5).
The Balance Beam Breakthrough
One of the most striking findings came from the balance beam test, a measure of fine motor coordination. The fasting mice performed on par with young mice, far outperforming their similarly aged, non-fasting counterparts.
This suggests that fasting may preserve—or even restore—motor function typically lost with age.
Cognitive Function: A Nuanced Picture
While physical coordination improved, the fasting regimen did not yield benefits in a cognitive test known as the Y-maze, which assesses spatial memory and exploration.
This points to a potentially targeted effect: intermittent fasting may preferentially support motor circuitry and structural brain integrity rather than general cognition, at least in the short termindex (5).
Digging Deeper: What’s Happening in the Muscles and Brain?
Muscular Signaling Gets a Boost
When researchers examined nerve-to-muscle electrical signaling, they found that fasting didn’t necessarily increase the maximum power output—but it enhanced average signal strength.
This means that the communication between the brain and muscles was more consistent and effective, enabling better control and quicker reaction times. Notably, these enhancements occurred in frequency ranges associated with muscle responsivenessindex (5).
Rewiring the Brain: Connectivity and Coordination
The brains of the fasting mice showed altered connectivity patterns, with:
- Reduced connectivity in ten areas
- Increased connectivity in seven regions, particularly those associated with motor function and sensory input
These brain-wide changes suggest a rebalancing of neural communication, potentially supporting more efficient movement and sensory-motor integration.
More Myelin, Better Movement
Perhaps the most intriguing finding came from examining myelin levels in the brains of treated mice.
Myelin: Thicker, Stronger, and More Widespread
While the fasting mice had slightly smaller axonal diameters—which could imply degeneration—they showed significantly more myelin, especially around small-diameter axons.
This increase was observed in both motor and non-motor areas, suggesting a global enhancement in neural insulationindex (5).
The proteins MBP and MAG were notably upregulated in these mice:
- MBP increased significantly across all regions
- MAG increased broadly, though not significantly in the motor cortex
These proteins are essential for maintaining and repairing myelin. Their increase suggests that fasting may stimulate the brain’s own remyelination mechanisms, helping to reverse or prevent age-related declineindex (5).
Potential Human Relevance: Caution and Curiosity
Though the study was conducted in mice, the findings echo what’s been observed in other animal models—and increasingly, in human fasting research.
It’s important to note:
- This study was short-term (10 weeks) and included a small number of animals.
- Myelin regeneration in humans may be slower and more complex.
- Fasting may not be appropriate for everyone, especially those with medical conditions, eating disorders, or medication needs.
Still, these results offer an encouraging view: that natural, non-invasive lifestyle interventions might bolster physical coordination and neurological resilience in aging populations.
How Might Intermittent Fasting Achieve These Effects?
Though the exact mechanisms remain under investigation, several likely pathways are at play:
1. Autophagy and Cellular Clean-Up
Fasting stimulates autophagy, the body’s internal recycling system. By breaking down damaged proteins and cellular components, autophagy helps preserve function and prevent the buildup of neurotoxic materials.
2. Reduced Inflammation
Aging is often accompanied by neuroinflammation, which impairs myelin and neuron function. Fasting is known to lower pro-inflammatory cytokines, potentially creating a more favorable environment for neural repair.
3. Enhanced Oligodendrocyte Activity
Oligodendrocytes are the brain cells responsible for making myelin. Fasting may activate or rejuvenate these cells, enhancing their ability to maintain or rebuild the myelin sheath.
4. Hormonal Shifts
Fasting alters hormones like insulin, IGF-1, and leptin, which have downstream effects on cellular growth and differentiation, including in the brain.
Where Science Meets Lifestyle
For the wellness-minded reader, this study brings fasting down to earth. It suggests that even non-pharmaceutical, low-cost interventions can meaningfully support brain health—particularly in the aging population.
Practical Considerations:
- Time-restricted eating (TRE) typically means eating all your meals within a 6–10 hour window, often skipping breakfast or dinner.
- It’s important to maintain nutritional quality during eating windows to avoid deficiencies.
- Starting with a gentle fasting window (e.g., 12/12 or 14/10) can help your body adapt more comfortably.
- Always consult a medical professional before adopting a new dietary strategy, especially if you have existing health conditions.
Final Thoughts: A New Role for an Ancient Practice
Fasting isn’t new—it’s part of nearly every major spiritual tradition and has been practiced for millennia. What is new, however, is our understanding of how deeply it may affect the nervous system, beyond weight loss or glucose control.
This latest research shows that time-restricted eating may help older brains stay physically sharp, improving coordination by boosting the very architecture of our neurons.
We still need more data, particularly in human trials. But the signal is clear: fasting doesn’t just burn fat—it may build better brains, one neural sheath at a time.