The impact of fasting on resting state brain networks in mice

Abstract

Fasting is known to influence learning and memory in mice and alter the neural networks that subserve these cognitive functions. We used high-resolution functional MRI to study the impact of fasting on resting-state functional connectivity in mice following 12 h of fasting. The cortex and subcortex were parcellated into 52 subregions and functional connectivity was measured between each pair of subregions in groups of fasted and non-fasted mice. Functional connectivity was globally increased in the fasted group compared to the non-fasted group, with the most significant increases evident between the hippocampus (bilateral), retrosplenial cortex (left), visual cortex (left) and auditory corte..