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Review
. 2018;16(7):1059-1085.
doi: 10.2174/1570159X15666171017102547.

Impact of Dietary Fats on Brain Functions

Rosanna Chianese  1 , Roberto Coccurello  2   3 , Andrea Viggiano  4 , Marika Scafuro  1 , Marco Fiore  2   3 , Giangennaro Coppola  4   5 , Francesca Felicia Operto  5 , Silvia Fasano  1 , Sophie Laye  6 , Riccardo Pierantoni  1 , Rosaria Meccariello  7
Affiliations
Review

Impact of Dietary Fats on Brain Functions

Rosanna Chianese et al. Curr Neuropharmacol. 2018.

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.

Keywords: Fat; GnRH; PUFAs; diet; endocannabinoids; epilepsy; ghrelin; hypothalamus; ketogenic diets; kisspeptin; leptin; metabolic sensors; microbiota; neuroprotection; nutrient sensing; reproduction..

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Figures

Fig. (1)
Fig. (1)
Schematic representation of fatty acids (FAs). FAs are classified depending on the degree of saturation/unsaturation in the carbon chain and on the lenght of carbon chain. The main source of saturated SAFAs is animal fat; MUFAs and PUFAs mainly derive from vegetables and (fish/vegetable) oils; trans-FAs (TFAs), are mainly formed by the industrial production of hydrogenated fats from vegetable oils.
Fig. (2)
Fig. (2)
A schematic view of the interplay between the HPG and gut-brain axis. Kisspeptin neurons convey to GnRH neurons a plethora of central and peripheral metabolic signals. Orexigenic and anorexigenic peptides influence kisspeptin neurons with stimulatory or inhibitory effects, respectively. In addition, peripheral hormones such as leptin and ghrelin, coming from adipose tissue and gut, respectively, via kisspeptin neurons, inform the HPG axis of metabolic reserves of the body. As final effect, in both sexes, the reproductive activity may be stimulated or inhibited.
Fig. (3)
Fig. (3)
Schematic representation of PUFAs synthesis from food, PUFAs entry across the BBB and production of PUFAs bioactive derivates in neuronal cells. ET, endothelial cell; pm, plasma membrane of brain cells, HETE, hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid; ETE, ecosatetraenoic acid.
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