A pregnant mother’s eating habits may influence her unborn child’s chances of developing Alzheimer’s, research suggests.

Scientists found that offspring of mice fed a high fat diet were more likely as adults to experience impaired blood flow in the brain, a feature linked to the disease.

When the offspring were also fed a high-fat diet their brains became less able to rid themselves of harmful amyloid protein. Accumulations of sticky beta amyloid protein in the brain are a key Alzheimer’s hallmark.

More work is needed but the study could have important implications for humans, the researchers believe.

Lead scientist Cheryl Hawkes, from the University of Southampton, said: “Our preliminary findings suggest that mothers’ diets during pregnancy may have long-term effects on their children’s brains and vascular health.”

The research was presented at the Alzheimer’s Research UK conference taking place in Oxford this week.