Title:Impact of Dietary Fats on Brain Functions
Volume: 16
Issue: 7
Author(s): Rosanna Chianese, Roberto Coccurello, Andrea Viggiano, Marika Scafuro, Marco Fiore, Giangennaro Coppola, Francesca Felicia Operto, Silvia Fasano, Sophie Laye, Riccardo Pierantoni and Rosaria Meccariello*
Affiliation:
- Department of Movement and Wellness Sciences, Parthenope University of Naples, Naples,Italy
Keywords:
Fat, diet, PUFAs, endocannabinoids, neuroprotection, microbiota, nutrient sensing, hypothalamus, GnRH, reproduction,
metabolic sensors, leptin, kisspeptin, ghrelin, neuroprotection, ketogenic diets, epilepsy.
Abstract: Background: Adequate dietary intake and nutritional status have important effects on
brain functions and on brain health. Energy intake and specific nutrients excess or deficiency from
diet differently affect cognitive processes, emotions, behaviour, neuroendocrine functions and synaptic
plasticity with possible protective or detrimental effects on neuronal physiology. Lipids, in
particular, play structural and functional roles in neurons. Here the importance of dietary fats and
the need to understand the brain mechanisms activated by peripheral and central metabolic sensors.
Thus, the manipulation of lifestyle factors such as dietary interventions may represent a successful
therapeutic approach to maintain and preserve brain health along lifespan.
Methods: This review aims at summarizing the impact of dietary fats on brain functions.
Results: Starting from fat consumption, nutrient sensing and food-related reward, the impact of
gut-brain communications will be discussed in brain health and disease. A specific focus will be on
the impact of fats on the molecular pathways within the hypothalamus involved in the control of
reproduction via the expression and the release of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone. Lastly, the
effects of specific lipid classes such as polyunsaturated fatty acids and of the "fattest" of all diets,
commonly known as "ketogenic diets", on brain functions will also be discussed.
Conclusion: Despite the knowledge of the molecular mechanisms is still a work in progress, the
clinical relevance of the manipulation of dietary fats is well acknowledged and such manipulations
are in fact currently in use for the treatment of brain diseases.
