Figure 1.

Possible mechanisms of diet-induced cognitive decline. Mechanisms described in this review likely act in concert to cause cognitive decline. These mechanisms include, but are not limited to, altered vascularization and BBB integrity, inflammation, and oxidative stress. In this diagram, we show activation of endothelial cells which increases BBB penetration allowing more inflammatory molecules and ROS to enter the brain. Then, microglial cells perpetuate the inflammatory cascade causing damage to neuronal health.