News in Brief Neuroscience

How obesity may harm memory and learning

In obese mice, rogue immune cells chomp nerve cell connections

CHOMP  Obesity may prod immune cells to nibble parts of nerve cell connections called synapses, a mouse study suggests. 

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By Laura Sanders

- More than 2 years ago

Obesity can affect brainpower, and a study in mice may help explain how.

In the brains of obese mice, rogue immune cells chomp nerve cell connections that are important for learning and memory, scientists report September 10 in the Journal of Neuroscience.