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Dietary Supplementation of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Caenorhabditis elegans
Published on: November 29, 2013
Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation in the first year of life affects brain function, structure,
Rebecca J Lepping1, Robyn A Honea2, Laura E Martin1,3
1Hoglund Brain Imaging Center, University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC), Kansas City, Kansas.
Insights
Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) supplementation in infancy improved brain function and structure at age nine. Early LCPUFA intake positively impacted attention and inhibition regions, showing lasting neurodevelopmental benefits.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Nutritional Science
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA), including arachidonic acid (ARA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are crucial for infant brain development.
- Previous research suggests LCPUFA's role in cognitive function, but long-term effects on brain structure and metabolism require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term impact of LCPUFA supplementation during the first year of life on brain function, structure, and metabolism at age nine.
- To determine dose-dependent effects of ARA and DHA on neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving newborns assigned to formula with or without LCPUFA (ARA and DHA) for the first 12 months.
- Multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) including functional MRI (fMRI), resting-state MRI (rsMRI), and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H MRS) at age 9 years.
- Analysis of brain activation during inhibition tasks (Flanker task), functional connectivity, white matter volume, and neurochemical concentrations (NAA, mI).
Main Results:
- LCPUFA-supplemented children showed enhanced brain activation in anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and parietal regions during inhibition tasks.
- Greater prefrontal-parietal connectivity was observed in the 0.64% LCPUFA group.
- Increased white matter volume in ACC and parietal regions was found in the 0.32% and 0.64% groups.
- Higher concentrations of N-acetylaspartate (NAA) and myo-inositol (mI) were detected in LCPUFA-supplemented groups.
Conclusions:
- Infant LCPUFA supplementation has lasting positive effects on brain structure, function, and neurochemistry.
- Supplementation influences key brain regions involved in attention and inhibition.
- LCPUFA intake impacts neurochemicals vital for neuronal integrity and brain cell signaling.
Abstract:
The present study sought to determine whether supplementation of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) during the first year of life influenced brain function, structure, and metabolism at 9 years of age. Newborns were randomly assigned to consume formula containing either no LCPUFA (control) or formula with 0.64% of total fatty acids as arachidonic acid (ARA; 20:4n6) and variable amounts of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n3) (0.32%, 0.64%, or 0.96% of total fatty acids) from birth to 12 months. At age 9 years (±0.6), 42 children enrolled in a follow-up multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study including functional (fMRI, Flanker task), resting state (rsMRI), anatomic, and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1 H MRS). fMRI analysis using the Flanker task found that trials requiring greater inhibition elicited greater brain activation in LCPUFA-supplemented children in anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and parietal regions. rsMRI analysis showed that children in the 0.64% group exhibited greater connectivity between prefrontal and parietal regions compared to all other groups. In addition, voxel-based analysis (VBM) revealed that the 0.32% and 0.64% groups had greater white matter volume in ACC and parietal regions compared to controls and the 0.96% group. Finally, 1 H MRS data analysis identified that N-acetylaspartate (NAA) and myo-inositol (mI) were higher in LCPUFA groups compared to the control group. LCPUFA supplementation during infancy has lasting effects on brain structure, function, and neurochemical concentrations in regions associated with attention (parietal) and inhibition (ACC), as well as neurochemicals associated with neuronal integrity (NAA) and brain cell signaling (mI).
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