Increased consumption of high-fat foods has been linked to cognitive decline. The underlying mechanisms, however, remain unclear. A new study by researchers from Chiba University, Japan, finds that a high-fat diet (HFD) impairs intermediate-term memory formation in Drosophila by decreasing autophagic activity. Further, HFD-induced memory deficits can be reversed by enhancing autophagic activity, opening avenues for the development of preventive treatments and autophagy-promoting lifestyle interventions to preserve cognitive function.

Northwestern University scientists have developed a groundbreaking lifestyle medicine program that uses three wearable sensors — a necklace, a wristband and a body camera — to capture real-world eating behavior in unprecedented detail and with respect for privacy.

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative condition influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Researchers in China have conducted a comprehensive review of recent studies examining the association between lipid metabolism and PD pathogenesis. Alterations in the metabolism of various lipid classes, such as fatty acids, sphingolipids, cholesterol, and lipoproteins, can lead to α-Syn protein aggregation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neuroinflammation, which can trigger PD. Understanding lipid-neurocellular interactions is crucial for developing therapies for PD.