Effects of maternal malnutrition and postnatal nutritional rehabilitation on brain fatty acids, learning, and memory

Abstract

Undernutrition still affects mothers and children in developing countries and thus remains the major focus of nutritional intervention efforts. Neuronal development, which classically includes neurogenesis, migration, maturation, and synapse refinement, begins in utero and continues into the early postnatal period. These processes are not only genetically regulated but also clearly susceptible to environmental manipulation. Dietary deprivation during early life is known to have adverse effects on brain anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry, and may even lead to permanent brain damage. Although all nutrients are important for the structural development of the central nervous system, lipids such as long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially docosahexaenoic acid (22:6 n-3) and arachidonic acid (20:4 n-6), are important for normal brain development. The purpose of this literature review is to examine how early undernutrition involving a deficiency in long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids can affect brain development and function and produce deficits in spatial cognitive learning ability.

The Role of Nutrition in Children's Neurocognitive Development, From Pregnancy Through Childhood

“…They promote neuronal and dendritic spine growth and synaptic membrane synthesis, and hence influence signal processing, and neural transmission. In addition, essential fatty acids regulate gene expression in the brain (McCann and Ames, 2005;Eilander et al, 2007;Innis, 2007;Cetina, 2008;Wurtman, 2008;Ramakrishnan et al, 2009;Ryan et al, 2010;Schuchardt et al, 2010;De Souza et al, 2011). Therefore, the existing literature strongly suggests that essential fatty acids are critical for brain development and function.…”

“…Of the human brain's dry weight 60% is comprised of lipids, of which 20% are docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; which is an omega-3 fatty acid) and arachidonic acid (AA; an omega-6 fatty acid). These represent the two core fatty acids found in gray matter (Benton, 2010b;De Souza et al, 2011). Furthermore, the supply of LCPUFAs from food, especially the omega-3 fatty acids, including DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), is frequently inadequate for children as well as for adults (Schuchardt et al, 2010).…”

“…There is an increasing body of literature that suggests a connection between improved nutrition and optimal brain function. Nutrients provide building blocks that play a critical role in cell proliferation, DNA synthesis, neurotransmitter and hormone metabolism, and are important constituents of enzyme systems in the brain (Bhatnagar and Taneja, 2001;Lozoff and Georgieff, 2006;Zeisel, 2009;De Souza et al, 2011;Zimmermann, 2011). Brain development is faster in the early years of life compared to the rest of the body (Benton, 2010a), which may make it more vulnerable to dietary deficiencies.…”

Trace elements during primordial plexiform network formation in human cerebral organoids

“…Mounting evidence indicate that maternal malnutrition may be causative in many neurocognitive deficits and neurological diseases in offspring (65,66). Given that maternal diet is the principle source of dietary elements available to a developing fetus, our data highlight the importance of matching the essential elements phosphorus, potassium, calcium, iron, zinc and sulfur to developmental needs of the brain.…”

Examining the association between nutrition and psychosocial factors in first-time pregnant women: a cross-sectional pilot study

“…An inadequate diet has been shown to have a significant influence on the child ' s metabolism, blood lipids, blood pressure, adult size, behavior, learning capacity, and potential to develop diabetes and obesity (8) . For example, insufficient folate ingestion prior to pregnancy and during early pregnancy is associated with neural tube defects (specifically spina bifida).…”