Impact of High-Fat Diets on Brain Cells and How Astrocytes Can Reverse Obesity Effects
New research reveals how fatty diets alter brain cells and how manipulating astrocytes can reverse obesity-related cognitive effects, opening new therapeutic possibilities.
Recent research highlights the significant influence of fatty diets on the brain's cellular structure, particularly affecting astrocytes—star-shaped glial cells located in the striatum, a brain region involved in processing pleasure from food. These diets and associated obesity lead to morphological changes in astrocytes, causing them to become reactive—a condition indicating cerebral inflammation.
Surprisingly, scientists from CNRS and Université Paris Cité discovered that by manipulating astrocytes within the brain in live mice, they could modify metabolic processes and counteract certain cognitive impairments linked to obesity, such as difficulty in relearning tasks. This was achieved through advanced chemogenetic techniques, which involve using viruses to express proteins that control calcium flow in astrocytes, thereby modulating their activity.
The investigations used both ex vivo and in vivo methods, incorporating brain imaging, behavioral assessments, and energy metabolism measurements. The findings revealed that astrocytes, previously overlooked, play a crucial role in brain function and energy regulation. Particularly, their ability to restore cognitive flexibility in obese models opens promising directions for future therapies targeting metabolic and cognitive disorders.
Published in Nature Communications, this study underscores the importance of astrocytes in understanding obesity's impact on the brain and suggests new avenues for research into treating metabolic and cognitive issues associated with high-fat diets.
Stay Updated with Mia's Feed
Get the latest health & wellness insights delivered straight to your inbox.
Related Articles
High Discontinuation Rates of GLP-1RAs for Weight Loss: A Growing Concern
A new study reveals that nearly 50% of adults using GLP-1 receptor agonists for weight loss discontinue treatment within the first year, highlighting adherence challenges and barriers like cost and side effects.
Research Shows Most Cancer Patients Encounter Misinformation and Testing Strategies to Guide Them Toward Accurate Information
A UF study finds that 93% of recent cancer patients are exposed to misinformation, emphasizing the need for healthcare professionals to guide patients toward evidence-based information and improve treatment outcomes.
Milestone Achieved: Five-Year Survival in Unresectable Liver Cancer Patients
A recent study in the Journal of Hepatology reports a groundbreaking five-year survival milestone in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma patients treated with immunotherapy, setting new standards in liver cancer management.
Breakthrough in Brain Research: Scientists Develop Comprehensive 'Whole-Brain' Organoid
Scientists at Johns Hopkins have developed a pioneering human multi-region brain organoid that models early brain development and neural network activity, providing new opportunities for studying neurological disorders and drug testing.