Ruth M. Barrientos
Neuroscience · The Ohio State University
Publications
115
Citations
7,471
Est. group size
~14
Recurring co-author estimate
Active years
28
Publishing since 1999
Ruth M. Barrientos studies how aging, diet, and immune system activation interact to affect brain function and memory, with a particular focus on neuroinflammation (immune-related inflammation in the brain) and its role in age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease. Much of this work examines how high-fat diets and immune cells called microglia contribute to memory impairments, using rodent models to explore mechanisms that could inform future treatments. The research bridges neuroscience, immunology, and nutrition science.
Publication output has grown substantially over the last decade, rising from a few papers per year in 2017-2019 to a sustained higher output of roughly 7-12 papers annually since 2020.
Generated by claude-sonnet-5 from public bibliographic data · Jul 20, 2026
- Neuroinflammatory mechanisms linking high‐fat diets to Alzheimer's disease vulnerability: Beyond the amyloid hypothesis
Alzheimer s & Dementia · 2025
- Dr. Steven F. Maier: A fearless scientist, a rigorous mentor, and a legacy of excellence
Brain Behavior and Immunity · 2025
- High-fat diet and aging-associated memory impairments persist in the absence of microglia in female rats
Neurobiology of Aging · 2024
- Ruth M. Barrientos: Vulnerabilities associated with the aging brain that make it more susceptible to inflammatory challenges leading to memory dysfunction
Brain medicine : · 2024
- The Role of Microglia in Aging and High-Fat Diet-Associated Memory Impairments in the Female Rat
SSRN Electronic Journal · 2024
- The influence of TLR4 mediated neuroinflammation and the complement system on HFD-evoked memory impairments in an AD mouse model
Brain Behavior and Immunity · 2024
- Dietary fatty acids differentially impact phagocytosis, inflammatory gene expression, and mitochondrial respiration in microglial and neuronal cell models
Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience · 2023
- Dietary fatty acids differentially impact phagocytosis, inflammatory gene expression, and cell metabolism in microglial and neuronal cell models
Brain Behavior and Immunity · 2023
- Short-term high fat diet consumption impairs learning and memory and increases CNS T cell populations in aged male rats
Brain Behavior and Immunity · 2022
- Evolution of the Human Diet and Its Impact on Gut Microbiota, Immune Responses, and Brain Health
Nutrients · 2021
- The effects of aging and high fat diet on intestinal inflammation and mitochondrial homeostasis
Brain Behavior and Immunity · 2021
- The impact of nutrition on COVID-19 susceptibility and long-term consequences
Brain Behavior and Immunity · 2020
- Experimental autoimmune encephalopathy (EAE)-induced hippocampal neuroinflammation and memory deficits are prevented with the non-opioid TLR2/TLR4 antagonist (+)-naltrexone
Behavioural Brain Research · 2020
- Reply to the Letter to the Editor: Regional differences in dietary use of immune-modulating catechins should be investigated regarding COVID-19
Brain Behavior and Immunity · 2020
- Abstract # 3170 The TLR2/4 antagonist (+)-naltrexone blocks contextual long-term memory deficits in experimental autoimmune encephalitis and associated neuroinflammation in hippocampus
Brain Behavior and Immunity · 2019
- Brain Behavior and Immunity×33
- Neurobiology of Aging×5
- npj Science of Food×2
- Journal of Neuroscience×2
- eNeuro×2
- Damon J. DiSabato
Neuroscience · The Ohio State University
- Daniel B. McKim
Neuroscience · The Ohio State University
- Jonathan P. Godbout
Neuroscience · The Ohio State University
- Ethan Goodman
Neuroscience · The Ohio State University
- Katherine A. Walker
Neuroscience · Purdue University West Lafayette
This profile was generated automatically from public scholarly data (OpenAlex). Group size and activity levels are estimates derived from co-authorship patterns.
Last updated Jul 19, 2026.
Claim or correct this profile