The CNP Diet and Brain Research Category consolidates research exploring the interdependent relationship between dietary intake and the brain. To view each original study on the open internet, click “Original.” To view the CNP-written abstract summary, click “CNP Summary.” While only some of the CNP-written abstract summaries are available below for free, all abstract summaries are available to CNP members through the CNP Library Membership.
Western diet consumption impairs memory function via dysregulated hippocampus acetylcholine signaling
Consumption of a Western diet (WD) during early developmental stages is linked to memory problems, particularly affecting processes reliant on the hippocampus (HPC). To explore the neurobiological reasons behind this, Hayes et al. (2024) established a rodent model where early exposure to WD led to enduring dysfunction in the HPC. Rats were given either a cafeteria-style WD with unrestricted access to high-fat/high-sugar foods (CAF) or standard healthy chow (CTL) during their juvenile and adolescent phases (postnatal days 26–56). Behavioral and metabolic assessments were conducted before and after a period of healthy diet intervention starting in early adulthood. The results showed persistent deficits in contextual episodic memory in CAF rats, indicating HPC involvement. Since disrupted acetylcholine (ACh) signaling in the HPC is associated with memory problems, the authors examined ACh-related protein markers in CAF and CTL rats’ dorsal HPC (HPCd). Lower levels of vesicular ACh transporter protein were found in the HPCd of CAF rats compared to CTL rats, suggesting chronically reduced ACh levels. Using an intensity-based ACh sensing fluorescent reporter (iAChSnFr) in vivo fiber photometry targeted at the HPCd, the authors discovered that ACh release during object-contextual novelty recognition was strongly linked to memory performance and was impaired in CAF rats compared to CTL rats. Neuropharmacological experiments demonstrated that infusion of an alpha 7 nicotinic ACh receptor agonist into the HPCd during training restored memory deficits in CAF rats. Overall, these results highlight a functional relationship between early WD consumption and persistent dysregulation of HPC ACh signaling, providing insight into the mechanism underlying WD-related memory issues.
Adherence to unhealthy diets is associated with altered frontal gamma-aminobutyric acid and glutamate concentrations and grey matter volume: preliminary findings
Chronic hyperpalatable diet induces impairment of hippocampal-dependent memories and alters glutamatergic and fractalkine axis signaling
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
Western diet consumption impairs memory function via dysregulated hippocampus acetylcholine signaling
Associations of dietary patterns with brain health from behavioral, neuroimaging, biochemical, and genetic analyses
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
Post-operative cognitive dysfunction is exacerbated by high-fat diet via TLR4 and prevented by dietary DHA supplementation
The hedonic overdrive model best explains high-fat diet-induced obesity in C57BL/6 mice
Higher fresh fruit intake relates to larger grey matter volumes in areas involved in dementia and depression: A UK Biobank study.
Sugar beverages and dietary sodas impact on brain health: A mini literature review
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
Internal-state-dependent control of feeding behavior via hippocampal ghrelin signaling
Diet-induced glial insulin resistance impairs the clearance of neuronal debris
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
Hypothalamic volume is associated with body mass index
Dietary magnesium intake is related to larger brain volumes and lower white matter lesions with notable sex differences
Longer-term mixed nut consumption improves brain vascular function and memory: A randomized, controlled crossover trial in older adults
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
Critical role of lateral habenula circuits in the control of stress-induced palatable food consumption
Vitamins and minerals for energy, fatigue and cognition: A narrative review of the biochemical and clinical evidence
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
Diet and mental health: Review of the recent updates on molecular mechanisms
Differential regulation of nucleus accumbens glutamate and GABA in obesity-prone and obesity-resistant rats
Dietary magnesium intake is related to larger brain volumes and lower white matter lesions with notable sex differences
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
Self-reported dietary intake of potassium, calcium, and magnesium and risk of dementia in the Japanese: the Hisayama Study
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
Lateral hypothalamic area neurotensin neurons are required for control of orexin neurons and energy balance
Time to drink: Activating lateral hypothalamic area neurotensin neurons promotes intake of fluid over food in a time-dependent manner
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
Manipulations of central amygdala neurotensin neurons alter the consumption of ethanol and sweet fluids in mice
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
Differential regulation of nucleus accumbens glutamate and GABA in obesity-prone and obesity-resistant rats
Neurotensin neurons in the extended amygdala control dietary choice and energy homeostasis
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
Chronic consumption of cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon) for 12 weeks improves episodic memory and regional brain perfusion in healthy older adults: A randomised, placebo-controlled, parallel-groups feasibility study
Long term high fat diet induces metabolic disorders and aggravates behavioral disorders and cognitive deficits in MAPT P301L transgenic mice
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
Western diet: implications for brain function and behavior
Obesity and sex-related associations with differential effects of sucralose vs sucrose on appetite and reward processing: A randomized crossover trial
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
Reframing appetitive reinforcement learning and reward valuation as effects mediated by hippocampal-dependent behavioral inhibition
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
Dietary diversity Is associated with memory status in chinese adults: A prospective study
Green tea consumption is associated with annual changes in hippocampal volumes: A longitudinal study in community-dwelling middle-aged and older Japanese individuals
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
Dietary diversity is associated with longitudinal changes in hippocampal volume among Japanese community dwellers
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
High fructose corn syrup-moderate fat diet potentiates anxio-depressive behavior and alters ventral striatal neuronal signaling
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
High-fat diet worsens the impact of aging on microglial function and morphology in a region-specific manner (animal)
Withdrawal from extended, intermittent access to a highly palatable diet impairs hippocampal memory function and neurogenesis: effects of memantine
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
Higher reported saturated fat and refined sugar intake is associated with reduced hippocampal-dependent memory and sensitivity to interoceptive signals
Reduced cognitive function, increased blood-brain-barrier transport and inflammatory responses, and altered brain metabolites in LDLr -/-and C57BL/6 mice fed a western diet
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
Impaired brain homeostasis and neurogenesis in diet-induced overweight zebrafish: a preventive role from A. borbonica extract (animal)
Mitochondrial dynamics in the brain are associated with feeding, glucose homeostasis, and whole-body metabolism
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
High on food: the interaction between the neural circuits for feeding and for reward
Hedonic eating and the "delicious circle": From lipid-derived mediators to brain dopamine and back
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
Ghrelin and orexin interact to increase meal size through a descending hippocampus to hindbrain signaling pathway
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
Dietary fructose-induced gut dysbiosis promotes mouse hippocampal neuroinflammation: a benefit of short-chain fatty acids
Association of long-term diet quality with hippocampal volume: longitudinal cohort study
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
A high-fat diet promotes depression-like behavior in mice by suppressing hypothalamic PKA signaling (animal study)
A high-fat, refined sugar diet reduces hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor, neuronal plasticity, and learning
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
High-fat diet Induced anxiety and anhedonia: Impact on brain homeostasis and inflammation (animal)
High-fat diet and aging interact to produce neuroinflammation and impair hippocampal- and amygdalar-dependent memory (animal)
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
Long term Westernized diet leads to region-specific changes in brain signaling mechanisms (animal)
A high-fat high-sugar diet in adolescent rats impairs social memory and alters chemical markers characteristic of atypical neuroplasticity and parvalbumin interneuron depletion in the medial prefrontal cortex (animal)
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
A high-fat diet decreases GABA concentration in the frontal cortex and hippocampus of rats (animal)
Chronic consumption of a western diet modifies the DNA methylation profile in the frontal cortex of mice (animal)
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
Western diet consumption and cognitive impairment: links to hippocampal dysfunction and obesity
Dietary fructose-induced gut dysbiosis promotes mouse hippocampal neuroinflammation: a benefit of short-chain fatty acids
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
High-fat diet and aging interact to produce neuroinflammation and impair hippocampal- and amygdalar-dependent memory
Hippocampal-dependent appetitive control is impaired by experimental exposure to a Western-style diet