The protective effect of early dietary fat consumption on Alzheimer's disease–related pathology and cognitive function in mice

INTRODUCTION: It has been suggested that obesity may influence Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis, yet the numerous publications on this topic have inconsistent results and conclusions. METHODS: Our study examined the effect of varying the timing of high‐fat diet (HFD) consumption on AD‐related pathology and cognition in transgenic Tg6799 AD mice. RESULTS: HFD feeding starting at or before 3 months of age, prior to severe AD pathology, had protective effects in AD mice: reduced extracellular amyloid beta (Aβ) deposition, decreased fibrinogen extravasation into the brain parenchyma, and improved cognitive function. However, delaying HFD consumption until 6 months of age, when AD pathology is ubiquitous, reduced these protective effects in AD mice. DISCUSSION: Overall, we demonstrate that the timeline of HFD consumption may play an important role in how dietary fats affect AD pathogenesis and cognitive function.