High Fat Diet Induced Cerebrovascular Pathology and Immune Cell Recruitment: A MRI Guided Histology Study

High fat diet (HFD) causes chronic low-grade inflammation and is associated with an increased risk of cerebrovascular pathology and neurodegenerative disorders. Hypothalamus can sense peripheral signals and has been the major focus of HFD induced neuroinflammation. This work aims to study the activation of BBB endothelial cells, immune cell infiltration, and brain cell inflammation in the whole brain in real time caused by short-term HFD. Molecular MRI, using a new ultrahigh moment microfabricated gold-iron micro-disc, provides non-invasive guidance to the histology study. Our data indicate that HFD causes neuroinflammation in a remarkably short time in many structures of brain.