Publication Date
Spring 5-4-2026
School
School of Health Sciences
Major
Biology: Biomedical Sciences
Disciplines
Animals | Animal Studies | Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms | Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition | Food Studies | Translational Medical Research
Recommended Citation
Whatley, Emma, "Feeding the Future: Prenatal Dietary Effects on Offspring Neurodevelopment" (2026). Senior Honors Theses. 1625.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/honors/1625
Abstract
This study examined the effects of prenatal Western (WD) and Mediterranean (MD) diets on offspring metabolic, cognitive, and neurobiological outcomes in a preclinical mouse model. Working and long-term memory performance, dendritic morphology, and gene expression were assessed using behavioural tests (CAL, YMRM, WM) and Golgi-Cox analyses. Behavioural effects were minimal, with female MD offspring showing improved memory performance under standard conditions. Metabolic findings showed effects on body weight and blood glucose. Dendritic morphology was largely unchanged; however, subtle, sex-specific differences were observed. Differential gene expression between MD and WD suggests a role for future environmental stressors. Prenatal diet affects molecular and structural development, and while these effects are not always behaviourally visible, a second-hit model may provide more insight.
Included in
Animals Commons, Animal Studies Commons, Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms Commons, Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Commons, Food Studies Commons, Translational Medical Research Commons
