High-Fat Diet Triggers Weight Gain by Formation of New Nerve Cells in Brain

A new study conducted by a group of American researchers suggests that a high-fat diet may lead to formation of new nerve cells in the brain which may trigger weight gain. Researchers from the John Hopkins University School of Medicine found that giving a high fat diet to a group of mice led to the increased production of nerve cells in the region of the brain which regulates eating.

On stopping the production of these new cells by using a carefully targeted laser, the researchers found that the mice were more active and tended to gain weight more slowly even though they continued to gorge on their high-fat diet.

“We really don't understand the function of these neurons in the normal brain. Our data suggests that these neurons may have an important role in regulating feeding”, lead researcher Seth Blackshaw said.

Source-Medindia