Dynamic regulation of cortical information processing and energy expenditure by food availability

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What we eat greatly impacts our brain function. Most people have experienced the feeling of being less able to concentrate or getting grumpy when they are hungry. This is because our brains need many calories to function. Despite only comprising 2% of the body mass, the brain utilizes 20% of the energy we consume daily, meaning that, by weight, it is the most energetically expensive organ. When food intake is reduced, organs such as muscles, reduce their performance in order to save energy. We predict that the brain is no different, and that when food intake is reduced, the brain should similarly reduce its performance in order to save energy. We will test this prediction in mice, as an animal model of mammalian brain function that allows us to study the cellular mechanisms underlying this process. To do so, we will reduce the calorie intake of mice by 20-25% and will record the activity of neurons within their brain, specifically within the visual cortex, which processes visual information. Our preliminary data show that calorie restriction reduces the function of the visual cortex, in line with our prediction. In our study, we will further explore these changes, and examine if they help the brain to save energy when calorie intake is reduced. We next want to understand the molecules and hormones responsible for linking changes in caloric intake with changes in brain function. Finally, we want to understand to what extent reductions in brain function during calorie restriction actually impact behaviour. Specifically, in our study, we will test how reductions in the function of the visual cortex during calorie restriction affect visual ability in mice. Overall, our study will help us to understand how calorie intake impacts brain function and energy consumption. This work will be important for understanding how best to adapt human diet to improve life-long cognitive function, which would benefit quality of life and economic productivity, and would reduce health costs. Our study may also reveal potential drug targets for improving brain function and energy use.