Researchers in the US said a smaller daily eating window can mitigate disruption to the body's circadian rhythm, which is seen as a "hallmark" of the disease.

Mice fed during a time-restricted window by a team at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine showed improvements in memory and a smaller build-up of amyloids on the brain (sticky plaques which can cause cells to die).

The study's authors said it's likely the findings will lead to a human clinical trial.

Senior author Paula Desplats, a neurosciences professor at the university, said it's long been assumed that disruptions to the internal biological clock are a result of neurodegeneration in people with Alzheimer's - but it may be the opposite.

It makes them a "promising target for new Alzheimer's treatments", she added.

Researchers fed the mice within a six-hour window each day, which would equate to a 14-hour daily fasting window for humans.

Compared to mice provided with food at all hours, the animals on a restricted schedule had better memory, were less hyperactive at night, followed a more regular sleep schedule and experienced fewer disruptions during sleep, according to the study.

The test mice also performed better on cognitive assessments than control mice.

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It's hoped that the findings can be easily replicated in a clinical trial as they centre on a lifestyle change rather than a drug.

"Time-restricted feeding is a strategy that people can easily and immediately integrate into their lives," said Ms Desplats.

"If we can reproduce our results in humans, this approach could be a simple way to dramatically improve the lives of people living with Alzheimer's and those who care for them."