Rewiring the brain: Ketogenic diet and gut microbiota in nervous system development

The ketogenic diet (KD), a high-fat and low-carbohydrate dietary approach, has a well-established therapeutic role, particularly in epilepsy treatment. Recently, its use has expanded beyond clinical practice, gaining popularity as a general health and lifestyle choice for healthy people. However, despite its long-standing history, KD exposure during early developmental periods remains unclear. This review summarizes current research on the impact of maternal KD intake on offspring brain development, physiology, and behavior, highlighting the potential mediating role of gut microbiota in neurodevelopment. Emerging evidence suggests that maternal KD may significantly influence brain development, maturation and behavior on numerous levels, possibly linking brain abnormalities, microbiota alterations and behavioral deficits. Nonetheless, lack of conclusive findings underlies the need for further research to assess its safety and long-term effects on the developing nervous system.