Brain on food: The neuroepigenetics of nutrition

Neurochem Int. 2021 Oct:149:105099. doi: 10.1016/j.neuint.2021.105099. Epub 2021 Jun 13.

Abstract

Humans have known for millennia that nutrition has a profound influence on health and disease, but it is only recently that we have begun mapping the mechanisms via which the dietary environment impacts brain physiology and behavior. Here we review recent evidence on the effects of energy-dense and methionine diets on neural epigenetic marks, gene expression, and behavior in invertebrate and vertebrate model organisms. We also discuss limitations, open questions, and future directions in the emerging field of the neuroepigenetics of nutrition.

Keywords: Behavior; Dietary methionine; Epigenetics; High fat diet; High sugar diet; Metabolism; Obesity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Brain / drug effects
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Diet, Western / adverse effects*
  • Energy Intake / drug effects
  • Energy Intake / physiology*
  • Epigenesis, Genetic / physiology*
  • Feeding Behavior / drug effects
  • Feeding Behavior / physiology
  • Feeding Behavior / psychology
  • Food / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Methionine / administration & dosage*
  • Nutritional Status / drug effects
  • Nutritional Status / physiology*

Substances

  • Methionine