Transcriptome analysis in calorie-restricted rats implicates epigenetic and post-translational mechanisms in neuroprotection and aging

Using RNA-seq, 39 cerebral cortex RNA samples were sequenced. The study design was as follows: Ad libitum fed rats at 6 months (n=3, 6 individuals pooled), 12 months (n=3, 6 individuals pooled) and 28 months (n=3, 6 individuals pooled). Calorie restricted rats at 6 months (n=3, 6 individuals pooled), 12 months (n=3, 6 individuals pooled) and 28 months (n=3, 6 individuals pooled). Rats fed alpha lipoic acid as a supplement to ad libitum at 12 months (n=3, 6 individuals pooled) and 28 months (n=3, 6 individuals pooled). Diet switching groups, where diet was changes at 12 months; 28 month ad libitum switched to calorie restriction (n=3, 6 individuals pooled), 28 month calorie restriction switched to ad libitum (n=3, 6 individuals pooled), 28 month ad libitum plus lipoic acid switched to calorie restriction (n=3, 6 individuals pooled), 28 month calorie restriction switched to ad libitum plus lipoic acid (n=3, 6 individuals pooled).