Calorie restriction seems it may have a neuroprotective effect in ageing or age-related diseases, though the mechanism is not quite clear. In a study from the National Institute on Ageing found that adult mice showed an increase in neuron generation in the hippocampus, than mice on a normal diet. The dietary restriction boosts factors such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which increases the brain's ability to produce neurons from stem cells and resist damage. This seems to mean that brain is more protected from degeneration, like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. More studies should be done to see if supplementing BDNF will produce the same results without calorie restrictions.
A study at the University of Florida showed that calorie restriction might prevent brain cell death. As seen in rats, apoptosis increases with age, however caloric restriction reduces this increase by 36%. This is possibly explained that the restrictive diet helps prevent age-related decline of ARC (Apoptotic Regulatory Protein) which represses apoptosis.
There are many other ways that caloric restriction can protect the brain. like affecting the endocrine system. A study in Neurobiology of Aging showed that this caloric restriction suppressed levels of specific hormones involved in high-energy processes, such as reproduction and growth (in mice). The hippocampus also seems affected through mechanisms that are mostly not understood.
http://websites.afar.org/site/PageServer?pagename=IA_b_cal_19_r_brain
However, as said in the article "One for the Ages: A Prescription That May Extend Life" there is very little proof that caloric restriction will have as substantial an effect on humans. Experts say that this may only increase lifespan by 2-7%. So is it really worth adopting such a severe diet, to live a little longer or to enjoy all the delicious calories and sacrifice a few years?
Mason, Michael: "One for the Ages: A Prescription That May Extend Life," New York Times, October 31, 2006
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The findings on the effects of calorie-restriction seem to benefit the human body (i.e. prevention of brain cell death). Unfortunately, I agree with the UC researchers who said that promoting a calorie-restricted diet would be "doomed to fail" and too strenuous upon the general public. Fast food chains would be upset from stricter FDA regulations and decreased profits, and nutritionists would argue that a majority of people would be unable to consume minimal calories AND proper vitamins/minerals. It would take a decade or more to change a nation's eating habits. Perhaps with more public health education and time, this could be possible.
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