The mice that ingested the higher amounts of fat had to be classified as obese. They had developed NAFLD and insulin resistance, which promotes the development of type 2 diabetes. While diet seems an obvious cause here, it may come as a surprise that the animals also showed brain dysfunction after 16 weeks on the junk food diet. Studies showed that the brains of mice with NAFLD were insufficiently supplied with oxygen. The disease appeared to alter the number and thickness of blood vessels in the brain. At the same time, some cells used more oxygen and the brain showed inflammation. According to the researchers, this indicated the early stages of a diet-induced encephalopathy. Affected mice changed their behavior. They appeared more anxious and showed signs of depression. The animals in the control group with a low fat intake developed neither NAFLD nor insulin resistance. They showed no brain disorders or behavioral problems.
“It is very worrying to see the effects that fat accumulation in the liver can have on the brain, especially because it often begins mildly and can go unnoticed for many years,” said lead author of the study, Dr. Anna Hadjihambi.