Sex-dependent effects of a high-fat diet on spatial memory, peripheral metabolism, hippocampal intrinsic excitability, and neuronal insulin sensitivity

High-fat diets are often associated with obesity, type-2 diabetes, and heart disease, but it has only been within the last decade that dietary fat has emerged as a topic of research interest for altered brain function and cognitive performance. A review of the current literature describes the impact of high-fat diets on the health of the hippocampus, a brain region critical for memory formation and consolidation. Our experimental findings show that a high fat diet has sex-dependent effects on peripheral metabolism and brain insulin-sensitivity, while detrimental effects on spatial memory and hippocampal intrinsic plasticity are seen in both sexes. A more thorough understanding of these sex-differences and neuronal deficits will help provide novel therapeutic targets for obesity related diseases like Alzheimer's.