Science Lecture Series: Dr. Teresa Reyes

“How Food Affects Brain Development: Lessons from a Pregnant Mouse”

Maternal diet during pregnancy is a potent environmental factor that affects brain development and behavior in the offspring. Consumption of a high fat diet can alter gene expression in target brain regions, and is linked to changes in reward-related behaviors and cognition. Disruption of DNA methylation is a potential pathway that links perinatal diet to persistent changes in brain and behavior.

Dr. Teresa Reyes is an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.