Adolescent western diet consumption and the developing brain

Adolescence is a critical period for brain development and dietary patterns during this time can have a long term impact on cognitive function later in life. For example, a Western Diet, high in saturated fat and added sugars, has been shown to negatively impact the development of a region of the brain called the hippocampus, which is an important brain region for learning and memory. In this seminar I will discuss potential mechanisms through which adolescent nutrition impacts the hippocampus, with a focus on the gut microbiome as a potential mechanistic link between diet and neurocognitive dysfunction.