A high-fat, refined sugar diet reduces hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor, neuronal plasticity, and learning
Molteni R, Barnard RJ, Ying Z, Roberts CK, Gómez-Pinilla F (2002) Neuroscience. 2002;112(4): 803-14.
Abstract:
We have investigated a potential mechanism by which a diet, similar in composition to the typical diet of most industrialized western societies rich in saturated fat and refined sugar (HFS), can influence brain structure and function via regulation of neurotrophins.We show that animals that learn a spatial memory task faster have more brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA and protein in the hippocampus.
Two months on the HFS diet were sufficient to reduce hippocampal level of BDNF and spatial learning performance.
Consequent to the action of BDNF on synaptic function, downstream effectors for the action of BDNF on synaptic plasticity were reduced proportionally to BDNF levels, in the hippocampus of rats maintained on the HFS diet between 2 and 24 months.
In particular, animals maintained on the HFS diet showed a decrease in levels of:
(i) synapsin I mRNA and protein (total and phosphorylated), important for neurotransmitter release;
(ii) cyclic AMP-response element-binding protein (CREB) mRNA and protein (total and phosphorylated); CREB is required for various forms of memory and is under regulatory control of BDNF;
(iii) growth-associated protein 43 mRNA, important for neurite outgrowth, neurotransmitter release, and learning and memory.
Diet-related changes were specific for the hippocampus consequent to its role in memory formation, and did not involve neurotrophin-3, another member of the neurotrophin family.
Our results indicate that a popularly consumed diet can influence crucial aspects of neuronal and behavioral plasticity associated with the function of BDNF.
FAB RESEARCH COMMENT:
Just 2 months of consuming a modern, western-type diet - high in both sugar and fat - was enough to cause significant memory impairments in animals, this study found.Those impairnments were also shown to be associated with reduced availability of a particular substance - Brain Derived Neurotrophic Facor (BDNF).
BDNF is already well known for its importance in supporting the growth and development of brain and nerve cells, and establishing connections between them, as well as for 'neuroplasticity' - i.e. the remodelling of those connections in response to experience, which is fundamental to all memory and learning.
The diet-induced changes specifically affected a brain region called the hippocampus - which plays critical roles in the formation of new memories.
As the authors note, the diet that rapidly produced these cognitive impairments in animals is the type of diet now commonly consumed by most humans in developed countries.
These findings will clearly need replication, but they have obvious and serious implications.
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