Chronic reduction of the caloric intake is associated with extended lifespan, in rodents, and has been proposed to counteract neuronal loss in animal models of neurodegeneration. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the effect of dietary restriction (DR) in a rodent model of Parkinson's disease, based on the intrastriatal infusion of 6-hydroxydopamine. We could not confirm the neuroprotective effect of DR previously suggested: histological and behavioral measures indicated similar degrees of dopaminergic neuron loss in rats maintained on DR--for two or eight weeks prior to the lesion--or with free access to food.