Nutrition and the developing brain: nutrient priorities and measurement.

Full Abstract

Nutrients and growth factors regulate brain development during fetal and early postnatal life. The rapidly developing brain is more vulnerable to nutrient insufficiency yet also demonstrates its greatest degree of plasticity. Certain nutrients have greater effects on brain development than do others. These include protein, energy, certain fats, iron, zinc, copper, iodine, selenium, vitamin A, choline, and folate. The effect of any nutrient deficiency or overabundance on brain development will be governed by the principle of timing, dose, and duration. The ability to detect the specific effects of nutrient deficiencies is dependent on knowing which area of the brain is preferentially affected and on having neurologic assessments that tap into the functions of those specific areas. As examples, protein-energy malnutrition causes both global deficits, which are testable by general developmental testing, and area-specific effects on the hippocampus and the cortex. Iron deficiency alters myelination, monoamine neurotransmitter synthesis, and hippocampal energy metabolism in the neonatal period. Assessments of these effects could include tests for speed of processing (myelination), changes in motor and affect (monoamines), and recognition memory (hippocampus). Zinc deficiency alters autonomic nervous system regulation and hippocampal and cerebellar development. Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids are important for synaptogenesis, membrane function, and, potentially, myelination. Overall, circuit-specific behavioral and neuroimaging tests are being developed for use in progressively younger infants to more accurately assess the effect of nutrient deficits both while the subject is deficient and after recovery from the deficiency.

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Author information

Author/s: Georgieff, Michael K (MK);

Affiliation: Department of Pediatrics and Child Development, University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis, MN, USA. georg001(-atsign-)umn.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: The American journal of clinical nutrition (Am J Clin Nutr), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-Feb; vol 85 (issue 2) : pp 614S-620S

Dates: Created 2007/02/07; Completed 2007/03/13; Revised 2008/11/21;

PMID: 17284765, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Behavior
Brain - growth & development
Child
Child, Preschool
Copper
Dietary Fats
Dietary Proteins
Fatty Acids, Unsaturated
Female

Fetal Development - physiology
Humans
Infant
Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
Infant, Newborn
Iron
Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
Pregnancy
Zinc

Associated Chemicals: Dietary Fats (0) ; Dietary Proteins (0) ; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated (0) ; Iron (7439-89-6) ; Copper (7440-50-8) ; Zinc (7440-66-6)

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