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Nutrition and the Brain
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Nutrition and the Brain

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutrition and Public Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2020) | Viewed by 35663

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Clara E. Cho

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA
Interests: methyl nutrients; maternal nutrition; brain development; food intake regulation; energy metabolism; gut microbiome; metabolic syndrome

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In this Special Issue of Nutrients, we invite papers exploring the effects of nutrition on the brain in relation to health and disease throughout the lifespan. Of particular interest are nutritional exposures that alter the brain and chronic disease risk. Nutritional exposures may include under-nutrition, over-nutrition, and deficient or excess consumption of macronutrients, micronutrients, or additives leading to adverse health outcomes.

Although the brain has long been recognized to have a critical role in biological processes, less is known about the nutritional regulation of brain function. Further research is required to integrate how nutrition and the brain interact to impact human health from physiological, metabolic, and behavioral perspectives.

We welcome original research articles, review articles, as well as systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

Potential topics may include but are not limited to the role of nutrition in brain development, the central regulation of energy and nutrient homeostasis, and modulation of the brain function impacting health and disease outcomes such as obesity, metabolic disorders, cognition, behavior, neurodegenerative diseases, and neuropsychiatric diseases, among others.

Dr. Clara E. Cho
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nutrients is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • brain
  • diet
  • macronutrients
  • micronutrients
  • additives
  • neurophysiology
  • neurochemistry
  • neurotransmitters
  • neuropeptides
  • metabolism
  • development
  • cognition
  • behavior
  • health and disease

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 13346 KiB  
Article
Ghrelin Receptors Enhance Fat Taste Responsiveness in Female Mice
by Ashley N. Calder, Tian Yu, Naima S. Dahir, Yuxiang Sun and Timothy A. Gilbertson
Nutrients 2021, 13(4), 1045; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13041045 - 24 Mar 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2748
Abstract
Ghrelin is a major appetite-stimulating neuropeptide found in circulation. While its role in increasing food intake is well known, its role in affecting taste perception, if any, remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor’s (GHS-R; [...] Read more.
Ghrelin is a major appetite-stimulating neuropeptide found in circulation. While its role in increasing food intake is well known, its role in affecting taste perception, if any, remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor’s (GHS-R; a ghrelin receptor) activity in the peripheral taste system using feeding studies and conditioned taste aversion assays by comparing wild-type and GHS-R-knockout models. Using transgenic mice expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (GFP), we demonstrated GHS-R expression in the taste system in relation phospholipase C ß2 isotype (PLCβ2; type II taste cell marker)- and glutamate decarboxylase type 67 (GAD67; type III taste cell marker)-expressing cells using immunohistochemistry. We observed high levels of co-localization between PLCβ2 and GHS-R within the taste system, while GHS-R rarely co-localized in GAD67-expressing cells. Additionally, following 6 weeks of 60% high-fat diet, female Ghsr−/− mice exhibited reduced responsiveness to linoleic acid (LA) compared to their wild-type (WT) counterparts, while no such differences were observed in male Ghsr−/− and WT mice. Overall, our results are consistent with the interpretation that ghrelin in the taste system is involved in the complex sensing and recognition of fat compounds. Ghrelin-GHS-R signaling may play a critical role in the recognition of fatty acids in female mice, and this differential regulation may contribute to their distinct ingestive behaviors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and the Brain)
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16 pages, 1975 KiB  
Article
The Use of Lower or Higher Than Recommended Doses of Folic Acid Supplements during Pregnancy Is Associated with Child Attentional Dysfunction at 4–5 Years of Age in the INMA Project
by Laura María Compañ Gabucio, Manuela García de la Hera, Laura Torres Collado, Ana Fernández-Somoano, Adonina Tardón, Mònica Guxens, Martine Vrijheid, Marisa Rebagliato, Mario Murcia, Jesús Ibarluzea, Itxaso Martí and Jesús Vioque
Nutrients 2021, 13(2), 327; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13020327 - 23 Jan 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3610
Abstract
We assessed the association between the use of lower- and higher-than-recommended doses of folic acid supplements (FAs) during pregnancy and attentional function in boys and girls at age of 4–5. We analyzed data from 1329 mother-child pairs from the mother-child cohort INfancia y [...] Read more.
We assessed the association between the use of lower- and higher-than-recommended doses of folic acid supplements (FAs) during pregnancy and attentional function in boys and girls at age of 4–5. We analyzed data from 1329 mother-child pairs from the mother-child cohort INfancia y Medio Ambiente Project (INMA) study. Information on FAs use during pregnancy was collected in personal interviews at weeks 12 and 30, and categorized in <400, 400–999 (recommended dose), and ≥1000 μg/day. Child attentional function was assessed by Conners’ Kiddie Continuous Performance Test. Multivariable regression analyses were used to estimate incidence rate ratios (IRR) and beta coefficients with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Compared to recommended FAs doses, the periconceptional use of <400 and ≥1000 μg/day was associated with higher risk of omission errors—IRR = 1.14 (95% CI: 1.01; 1.29) and IRR = 1.16 (95% CI: 1.02; 1.33), respectively. The use of FAs < 400 μg/day and ≥1000 μg/day was significantly associated with deficits of attentional function only in boys. FAs use < 400 μg/day was associated with higher omission errors with IRR = 1.22 and increased hit reaction time (HRT) β = 34.36, and FAs use ≥ 1000 μg/day was associated with increased HRT β = 33.18 and HRT standard error β = 3.31. The periconceptional use of FAs below or above the recommended doses is associated with deficits of attentional function in children at age of 4–5, particularly in boys. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and the Brain)
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16 pages, 1259 KiB  
Article
Modified Fasting Compared to True Fasting Improves Blood Glucose Levels and Subjective Experiences of Hunger, Food Cravings and Mental Fatigue, But Not Cognitive Function: Results of an Acute Randomised Cross-Over Trial
by Ian Zajac, Danielle Herreen, Hugh Hunkin, Genevieve James-Martin, Mathilde Doyen, Naomi Kakoschke and Emily Brindal
Nutrients 2021, 13(1), 65; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13010065 - 28 Dec 2020
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 6484
Abstract
Recent dietary trends have prompted growing support for a variety of fasting paradigms involving extreme restriction or nil-caloric intake on fasting days. Some studies indicate that fasting may negatively influence factors including cognitive function through inducing fatigue, which may prove problematic in the [...] Read more.
Recent dietary trends have prompted growing support for a variety of fasting paradigms involving extreme restriction or nil-caloric intake on fasting days. Some studies indicate that fasting may negatively influence factors including cognitive function through inducing fatigue, which may prove problematic in the context of completing a range of cognitively demanding activities required by daily obligations such as work. This randomised within-subjects cross-over trial explored the effects of true fasting (i.e., nil-caloric intake) versus modified fasting, the latter of which involved two sub-conditions: (1) extended distribution (three small meals distributed across the day; 522 kcal total); and (2) bulking (two meals eaten early in the day; 512 kcal total) over a period of 7.5 h on a single day with a 7-day washout period between conditions. Participants were n = 17 females (Body Mass Index (BMI) Mean (M) = 25.80, Standard Deviation (SD) = 2.30) aged 21–49 years. Outcomes included cognitive function, subjective mental fatigue, satiety, food cravings and blood glucose. Results showed that there were no differences in cognitive test performance between conditions;however, both modified fasting sub-conditions had improved blood glucose levels, cravings, hunger and fullness compared to true fasting. Moreover, subjective mental fatigue was significantly reduced in the modified fasting conditions relative to true fasting. Overall, results indicated that the subjective experience of true fasting and modified fasting is different, but that cognition does not appear to be impaired. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and the Brain)
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17 pages, 2412 KiB  
Article
Moderate Folic Acid Supplementation in Pregnant Mice Results in Behavioral Alterations in Offspring with Sex-Specific Changes in Methyl Metabolism
by Marta Cosín-Tomás, Yan Luan, Daniel Leclerc, Olga V. Malysheva, Nidia Lauzon, Renata H. Bahous, Karen E. Christensen, Marie A. Caudill and Rima Rozen
Nutrients 2020, 12(6), 1716; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12061716 - 8 Jun 2020
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 3778
Abstract
Fifteen to 20% of pregnant women may exceed the recommended intake of folic acid (FA) by more than four-fold. This excess could compromise neurocognitive and motor development in offspring. Here, we explored the impact of an FA-supplemented diet (5× FASD, containing five-fold higher [...] Read more.
Fifteen to 20% of pregnant women may exceed the recommended intake of folic acid (FA) by more than four-fold. This excess could compromise neurocognitive and motor development in offspring. Here, we explored the impact of an FA-supplemented diet (5× FASD, containing five-fold higher FA than recommended) during pregnancy on brain function in murine offspring, and elucidated mechanistic changes. We placed female C57BL/6 mice for one month on control diets or 5× FASD before mating. Diets were maintained throughout pregnancy and lactation. Behavioural tests were conducted on 3-week-old pups. Pups and mothers were sacrificed at weaning. Brains and livers were collected to examine choline/methyl metabolites and immunoreactive methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR). 5× FASD led to hyperactivity-like behavior and memory impairment in 3-week-old pups of both sexes. Reduced MTHFR protein in the livers of FASD mothers and male pups resulted in choline/methyl metabolite disruptions in offspring liver (decreased betaine) and brain (decreased glycerophosphocholine and sphingomyelin in male pups, and decreased phosphatidylcholine in both sexes). These results indicate that moderate folate supplementation downregulates MTHFR and alters choline/methyl metabolism, contributing to neurobehavioral alterations. Our findings support the negative impact of high FA on brain development, and may lead to improved guidelines on optimal folate levels during pregnancy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and the Brain)
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15 pages, 271 KiB  
Article
Vitamin D Status Is Not Associated with Cognitive or Motor Function in Pre-School Ugandan Children
by Agnes M. Mutua, Margaret Nampijja, Alison M. Elliott, John M. Pettifor, Thomas N. Williams, Amina Abubakar, Emily L. Webb and Sarah H. Atkinson
Nutrients 2020, 12(6), 1662; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12061662 - 3 Jun 2020
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2889
Abstract
Vitamin D deficiency is common worldwide and young children are among the most affected groups. Animal studies suggest a key role for vitamin D in brain development. However, studies investigating the effects of vitamin D on neurobehavioural outcomes in children are inconclusive and [...] Read more.
Vitamin D deficiency is common worldwide and young children are among the most affected groups. Animal studies suggest a key role for vitamin D in brain development. However, studies investigating the effects of vitamin D on neurobehavioural outcomes in children are inconclusive and evidence is limited in sub-Saharan Africa. We evaluated the effect of vitamin D status on cognitive and motor outcomes using prospective data from the Entebbe Mother and Baby Study birth cohort. We analysed data from 302 Ugandan children with 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) measurements below five years and developmental measures at five years of age. We used multivariable linear regression, adjusted for potential confounders, to estimate the effect of 25(OH)D on cognitive and motor outcomes. Of 302 children, eight (2.7%) had 25(OH)D levels <50 nmol/L, 105 (35.8%) had levels 50–75 nmol/L and 189 (62.6%) had levels >75 nmol/L. There was no evidence that earlier vitamin D status was associated with cognitive and motor outcomes in five-year-old Ugandan children. This study adds to the sparse literature and highlights the need for further longitudinal studies on vitamin D and neurobehavioural outcomes in children living in sub-Saharan Africa. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and the Brain)

Review

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25 pages, 1599 KiB  
Review
Nutritional Support of Neurodevelopment and Cognitive Function in Infants and Young Children—An Update and Novel Insights
by Kathrin Cohen Kadosh, Leilani Muhardi, Panam Parikh, Melissa Basso, Hamid Jan Jan Mohamed, Titis Prawitasari, Folake Samuel, Guansheng Ma and Jan M. W. Geurts
Nutrients 2021, 13(1), 199; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13010199 - 10 Jan 2021
Cited by 58 | Viewed by 14678
Abstract
Proper nutrition is crucial for normal brain and neurocognitive development. Failure to optimize neurodevelopment early in life can have profound long-term implications for both mental health and quality of life. Although the first 1000 days of life represent the most critical period of [...] Read more.
Proper nutrition is crucial for normal brain and neurocognitive development. Failure to optimize neurodevelopment early in life can have profound long-term implications for both mental health and quality of life. Although the first 1000 days of life represent the most critical period of neurodevelopment, the central and peripheral nervous systems continue to develop and change throughout life. All this time, development and functioning depend on many factors, including adequate nutrition. In this review, we outline the role of nutrients in cognitive, emotional, and neural development in infants and young children with special attention to the emerging roles of polar lipids and high quality (available) protein. Furthermore, we discuss the dynamic nature of the gut-brain axis and the importance of microbial diversity in relation to a variety of outcomes, including brain maturation/function and behavior are discussed. Finally, the promising therapeutic potential of psychobiotics to modify gut microbial ecology in order to improve mental well-being is presented. Here, we show that the individual contribution of nutrients, their interaction with other micro- and macronutrients and the way in which they are organized in the food matrix are of crucial importance for normal neurocognitive development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and the Brain)
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