February 16, 2011

expert reaction to Neuropsychopharmacology paper on high-fat diet and the brain

Research suggested that a high-fat diet could promote brain activity.

Dr Tony Coll, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, said:

“This study highlights once again that the biological drive to eat is underpinned by a complex network of signaling pathways, involving regions of the brain that regulate our feelings and emotions. Linking energy rich foods with a pleasurable experience makes sense from an evolutionary perspective – have motivation to seek out the best meal, and you are more likely to survive. However, such a biological drive may prove to be deleterious in an environment where calorifically dense food is freely available.”

Chronic High-Fat Diet Drives Postnatal Epigenetic Regulation of m-Opioid Receptor in the Brain, by Zivjena Vucetic et al.] published online in Neuropsychopharmacology on Wednesday 16 February 2011.