Abstract

Modulation of neuronal dendritic spine density in animal models has been reported to result in cognitive benefits. However the extent to which early life dietary factors can impact neuronal structure is largely unknown. The aim of this study was to determine if a diet containing a prebiotic blend of polydextrose and galactooligosaccharides with bioactive whey protein fractions (TEST) alters dendritic spine morphology compared to a control (CONT) diet. Weanling Long Evans rats received CONT or TEST diets for 40 days. Brains were perfused, sectioned, and target neurons labeled using ballistic dye labeling. Individual spines were measured on medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) neurons manually for head diameter, length, and neck diameter using the Afraxis ESP platform. While total spine density did not differ between diets on mPFC neurons, TEST diet produced a significant increase in total dendritic spines in DG neurons in the hippocampus. Similar changes in spine density have been reported in association with cognitive benefits from early life enrichment and exercise in rodents. In-depth analysis further revealed that the increase in spine density was largely driven by increases in the immature-type spine phenotypes, including filopodia-like spines. Further research is warranted to determine if functional effects produced by TEST diet are associated with DG-related functions of the hippocampus. Supported by Mead Johnson Nutrition.

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