A new study published in Neuron by UNC School of Medicine researchers reveals that high-fat diets can rapidly impair memory by disrupting specific brain cells called CCK interneurons in the hippocampus, the brain’s memory center. Within just four days of consuming a diet high in saturated fats—resembling typical Western junk food—these neurons become overactive due to reduced glucose availability in the brain, which interferes with memory processing even before weight gain or diabetes develops. The study found that a protein called PKM2, which regulates how brain cells use energy, plays a critical role in this dysfunction. Encouragingly, researchers discovered that restoring brain glucose levels through dietary interventions like intermittent fasting can normalize these overactive neurons and restore memory function in mice. This research suggests that early dietary modifications or targeted therapies could help prevent long-term cognitive decline and reduce the risk of obesity-related neurodegenerative diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s.
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