Intersection between metabolic dysfunction, high fat diet consumption, and brain aging

Abstract

Deleterious neurochemical, structural, and behavioral alterations are a seemingly unavoidable aspect of brain aging. However, the basis for these alterations, as well as the basis for the tremendous variability in regards to the degree to which these aspects are altered in aging individuals, remains to be elucidated. An increasing number of individuals regularly consume a diet high in fat, with high-fat diet consumption known to be sufficient to promote metabolic dysfunction, although the links between high-fat diet consumption and aging are only now beginning to be elucidated. In this review we discuss the potential role for age-related metabolic disturbances serving as an important basis for deleterious perturbations in the aging brain. These data not only have important implications for understanding the basis of brain aging, but also may be important to the development of therapeutic interventions which promote successful brain aging.

Figure 1. Interplay between metabolic dysfunction, high fat diets and brain aging

Consumption of a high fat diet (HFD) and the presence of metabolic dysfunction (insulin resistance, adiposity, etc.) are associated with pathological brain aging. Pathological brain aging is linked to excessive cognitive decline, high oxidative stress, alterations in brain structure, and increased inflammatory signaling. In contrast, consumption of a low fat diet, caloric restriction, and maintenance of metabolic function results in successful brain aging. The successful brain aging is defined as preserved cognition, decreased oxidative stress, preserved structure, and reduced inflammatory signaling.