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Blueberry supplementation improves memory in middle aged mice consuming a high fat diet

Consuming a high fat (HF) diet may result in behavioral deficits similar to those observed in aging animals, possibly because of increased brain inflammation and oxidative stress. Our lab has demonstrated that diets supplemented with polyphenolic‐rich berries, such as blueberries (BB), can allay behavioral deficits associated with aging. Thus, supplementation of a HF diet with BB may offer protection against these putative HF diet‐related declines. Nine month old C57Bl/6 mice were maintained on one of four diets for a 5 mo period: low fat (LF) (Harlan, TD.08806, 10% calories from fat), LF + 4% BB (freeze‐dried extract, U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council), HF (TD.06414, 60% calories from lard fat), and HF + 4% BB. Mice were tested with the novel object recognition memory task after 2, 3, and 4 mo on the diets and in the Morris water maze (MWM) for spatial memory after 5 mo on the diets. Recognition memory was impaired by HF diet, but BB‐supplementation prevented recognition memory deficits in a time‐dependent manner. Probe trial performance in the MWM was impaired in animals consuming the HF diet, while animals on the HF + BB diet were not different from those on LF diets. Brain tissue is being analyzed for markers of inflammation. The goal of the study is to begin to determine if making small changes to a poor diet, like incorporating more nutrient dense foods, can allay cognitive dysfunction associated with consumption of a HF diet. Supported by USDA Intramural