Thiamin deficiency on fetal brain development with and without prenatal alcohol exposure

Abstract

Adequate thiamin levels are crucial for optimal health through maintenance of homeostasis and viability of metabolic enzymes, which require thiamine as a co-factor. Thiamin deficiency occurs during pregnancy when the dietary intake is inadequate or excessive alcohol is consumed. Thiamin deficiency leads to brain dysfunction because thiamin is involved in the synthesis of myelin and neurotransmitters (e.g., acetylcholine, γ-aminobutyric acid, glutamate), and its deficiency increases oxidative stress by decreasing the production of reducing agents. Thiamin deficiency also leads to neural membrane dysfunction, because thiamin is a structural component of mitochondrial and synaptosomal membranes. Similarly, in-utero exposure to alcohol leads to fetal brain dysfunction, resulting in negative effects such as fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Thiamin deficiency and prenatal exposure to alcohol could act synergistically to produce negative effects on fetal development; however, this area of research is currently under-studied. This minireview summarizes the evidence for the potential role of thiamin deficiency in fetal brain development, with or without prenatal exposure to alcohol. Such evidence may influence the development of new nutritional strategies for preventing or mitigating the symptoms of FASD.

Pediatric thiamine deficiency disorders in high‐income countries between 2000 and 2020: a clinical reappraisal

“…This reflects how important thiamine is for children's overall neurodevelopment, and it highlights the importance of early diagnosis of TD and subclinical TD during this critical period in infancy of neurodevelopment that involves the acquisition of cognitive skills. In utero exposure to TD may also lead to fetal brain dysfunction, as observed in fetal alcohol syndrome 202 …”

Moderate prenatal ethanol exposure leads to attention deficits in both male and female rats

“…Additionally, both control and PE dams were administered with Vitamin B Complex Fortified (Patterson Veterinary, Greeley, CO, USA; 8 mg/kg, i.m. ; twice/week during GDs 8 to 20) to avoid thiamine deficiency induced by the EtOH exposure or the pair‐feeding procedure (Galvin et al, 2010; Kloss et al, 2018; Vedder et al, 2015) because prenatal thiamine deficiency produces profound effects on the brain development (Roecklein et al, 1985), which could be ameliorated by thiamine supplements (Ba et al, 1996).…”

Micronutrient supplementation in pregnancies following bariatric surgery: a practical review for clinicians

“…This is due to a combination of increasing demand from the growing fetus on the one hand and a dilution effect on the other hand [32]. In case of maternal deficiency, the offspring is at risk for brain dysfunction (myelin and neurotransmitter synthesis) and neural membrane dysfunction (component of mitochondrial and synaptosomal membranes) [28,34,36]. In general, at least 12 mg of thiamine per day is recommended after weight loss surgery which is also recommended in postsurgical pregnancies by most experts [21,37].…”