title: Gestational ketogenic diet programs brain structure and susceptibility to depression & anxiety in the adult mouse offspring.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The ketogenic diet (KD) has seen an increase in popularity for clinical and non-clinical purposes, leading to rise in concern about the diet's impact on following generations. The KD is known to have a neurological effect, suggesting that exposure to it during prenatal brain development may alter neuro-anatomy. Studies have also indicated that the KD has an anti-depressant effect on the consumer. However, it is unclear whether any neuro-anatomical and/or behavioral changes would occur in the offspring and persist into adulthood.
  
  
  METHODS
  To fill this knowledge gap we assessed the brain morphology and behavior of 8-week-old young-adult CD-1 mice, who were exposed to the KD in utero, and were fed only a standard-diet (SD) in postnatal life. Standardized neuro-behavior tests included the Open-Field, Forced-Swim, and Exercise Wheel tests, and were followed by post-mortem Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to assess brain anatomy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The adult KD offspring exhibit reduced susceptibility to anxiety and depression, and elevated physical activity level when compared with controls exposed to the SD both in utero and postnatally. Many neuro-anatomical differences exist between the KD offspring and controls, including, for example, a cerebellar volumetric enlargement by 4.8%, a hypothalamic reduction by 1.39%, and a corpus callosum reduction by 4.77%, as computed relative to total brain volume.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that prenatal exposure to the KD programs the offspring neuro-anatomy and influences their behavior in adulthood.
authors: Physiology and Experimental Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Dafna
authors: D
authors: Sussman
authors: Mouse Imaging Center (MICe), The Hospital for Sick Children Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Jurgen
authors: J
authors: Germann
authors: Mouse Imaging Center (MICe), The Hospital for Sick Children Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Henkelman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D055423:Diet, Ketogenic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D023421:Models, Animal; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects
keywords: Behavior; development; ketogenic diet; magnetic resonance imaging; neuroimaging; prenatal programming
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