A Systematic Review of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Consumption and Cognitive Outcomes in Neurodevelopment

Consumption of different combinations of human milk oligosaccharides in the first 6 mo of infancy is positively associated with early cognition at 2 y of age in a longitudinal cohort of Latino children

BACKGROUND

Lactation has been widely associated with optimal neurocognitive development, but the underlying mechanism remains unknown. Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are complex sugars that support brain development, but previous studies examining their associations with cognition have yielded inconsistent findings.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to provide a broader understanding of how HMOs jointly influence cognition.

METHODS

We used data from an ongoing longitudinal cohort of Latino mother-infant dyads. Human milk samples from 1 mo (n = 157) and 6 mo (n = 107) postpartum were assessed for the 19 most abundant HMOs. Cognitive performance was assessed at 2 y using the Bayley Scale of Infant and Toddler Development. A partial least squares model identified HMO combinations predictive of cognitive scores.

RESULTS

At 1 mo, the combination of higher concentrations of lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT), lacto-N-tetraose (LNT), lacto-N-fucopentaose (LNFP)-III, 6'-sialyllactose, and 2'-fucosyllactose (FL) with lower concentrations of sialyllacto-N-tetraose (LST) b, LNFP-II, fucodisialyllacto-N-hexaose, and 3-FL significantly predicted higher cognitive scores (β: 0.61; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.30, 0.92), explaining an additional 8% of the variance over a model with only nuisance covariates (11%). Additional analyses revealed that the combination of higher LNFP-III and lower LSTb alone explained 5% more of the variation in cognitive scores (β: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.24, 1.09). At 6 mo (n = 107), higher LNnT, LNT, and LNFP-III and lower 3FL and LSTb concentrations explained an extra 6% of the variance in cognitive scores (β: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.12, 0.75).

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights specific HMO combinations in early life influencing cognitive performance at 2 y.

Sex-Specific Changes to Brain Fatty Acids, Plasmalogen, and Plasma Endocannabinoids in Offspring Exposed to Maternal and Postnatal High-Linoleic-Acid Diets

Linoleic acid (LA) is required for neuronal development. We have previously demonstrated sex-specific changes in cardiovascular and hepatic function in rat offspring from mothers consuming a high-LA diet, with some effects associated with reduced LA concentration in the postnatal diet. At this time, the impact of a high-maternal-LA diet on offspring brain development and the potential for the postnatal diet to alter any adverse changes are unknown. Rat offspring from mothers fed low- (LLA) or high-LA (HLA) diets during pregnancy and lactation were weaned at postnatal day 25 (PN25) and fed LLA or HLA diets until sacrifice in adulthood (PN180). In the offspring's brains, the postnatal HLA diet increased docosapentaenoate in males. The maternal HLA diet increased LA, arachidonate, docosapentaenoate, C18:0 dimethylacetal (DMA), C16:0 DMA, C16:0 DMA/C16:0, and C18:0 DMA/C18:0, but decreased eoicosenoate, nervoniate, lignocerate, and oleate in males. Maternal and postnatal HLA diets reduced oleate and vaccenate and had an interaction effect on myristate, palmitoleate, and eicosapentaenoate in males. In females, maternal HLA diet increased eicosadienoate. Postnatal HLA diet increased stearate and docosapentaenoate. Maternal and postnatal HLA diets had an interaction effect on oleate, arachidate, and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)/omega (n)-6 docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) in females. Postnatal HLA diet decreased DHA/n-6 DPA in males and females. Postnatal HLA diet increased plasma endocannabinoids (arachidonoyl ethanolamide and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol), as well as other N-acyl ethanolamides and testosterone. HLA diet alters brain fatty acids, plasma endocannabinoids, and plasmalogen concentrations in a development-specific and sex-specific manner.

Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) and Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA)-Should They Be Mandatory Supplements in Pregnancy?

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are essential fatty acids for the human body. Seafood and microalgae are the most important sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Supplementation with 200 mg/day of DHA during pregnancy and breastfeeding has been suggested for women and infants in countries with low seafood consumption. Maternal concentration of DHA and EPA was associated with concentration in cord blood and breast milk. High concentrations of DHA and EPA were identified at the level of retinal photoreceptors and neuronal cell membranes. It was observed that supplementation with DHA and EPA during pregnancy had beneficial effects on the neurological development of the fetus and infant by improving language, memory, attention, and hand coordination, affecting sleep patterns, and improving visual acuity. Beneficial effects on the development of the infant were also associated with the maternal intake of omega-3 fatty acids during breastfeeding. Supplementation with DHA and EPA may reduce the risk of preterm birth but also of preeclampsia in low-risk pregnancies. Women of childbearing age should have an intake of 250 mg/day of DHA + EPA from their diet or supplements. To reduce the risk of premature birth, pregnant women must additionally receive at least 100-200 mg of DHA every day. It is recommended that supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids starts before 20 weeks of pregnancy. Beneficial effects on the mother have been identified, such as the reduction of postpartum depression symptoms, the decrease of cardiovascular risk, and the anti-inflammatory role.

Metabolomic changes in children with autism

BACKGROUND

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by deficits in social communication and repetitive behaviors. Metabolomic profiling has emerged as a valuable tool for understanding the underlying metabolic dysregulations associated with ASD.

AIM

To comprehensively explore metabolomic changes in children with ASD, integrating findings from various research articles, reviews, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, case reports, editorials, and a book chapter.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted in electronic databases, including PubMed, PubMed Central, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, Scopus, LISA, and NLM catalog up until January 2024. Inclusion criteria encompassed research articles (83), review articles (145), meta-analyses (6), systematic reviews (6), case reports (2), editorials (2), and a book chapter (1) related to metabolomic changes in children with ASD. Exclusion criteria were applied to ensure the relevance and quality of included studies.

RESULTS

The systematic review identified specific metabolites and metabolic pathways showing consistent differences in children with ASD compared to typically developing individuals. These metabolic biomarkers may serve as objective measures to support clinical assessments, improve diagnostic accuracy, and inform personalized treatment approaches. Metabolomic profiling also offers insights into the metabolic alterations associated with comorbid conditions commonly observed in individuals with ASD.

CONCLUSION

Integration of metabolomic changes in children with ASD holds promise for enhancing diagnostic accuracy, guiding personalized treatment approaches, monitoring treatment response, and improving outcomes. Further research is needed to validate findings, establish standardized protocols, and overcome technical challenges in metabolomic analysis. By advancing our understanding of metabolic dysregulations in ASD, clinicians can improve the lives of affected individuals and their families.

Mixtures of Metals and Micronutrients in Early Pregnancy and Cognition in Early and Mid-Childhood: Findings from the Project Viva Cohort

BACKGROUND

The developing fetal brain is sensitive to many environmental exposures. However, the independent and joint effects of prenatal exposure to metals and micronutrients on child cognition are not well understood.

OBJECTIVES

Our aim was to evaluate associations of first-trimester (∼ 10 wk) maternal erythrocyte concentrations of mixtures of nonessential and essential metals and micronutrients with early (∼ 3 y) and mid-childhood (∼ 8 y) cognitive test scores in Project Viva, a prebirth cohort in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

METHODS

We measured concentrations of five essential metals (Cu, Mg, Mn, Se, Zn) and two micronutrients (vitamin B12 and folate), together termed the "nutrient mixture," as well as six nonessential metals (As, Ba, Cd, Cs, Hg, Pb), together termed the "neurotoxic mixture," in first-trimester (∼ 10 wk) maternal erythrocytes (metals) or plasma (micronutrients). We assessed visual-motor function and receptive vocabulary in early childhood (∼ 3 y), and visual-motor function, visual memory, and fluid and crystallized intelligence in mid-childhood (∼ 8 y). We employed adjusted quantile g-computation and linear regression to estimate mixture and individual component associations, respectively.

RESULTS

Analyses included 900 mother-child pairs (74% college graduates; 52% male children). In mixture analyses, a quartile increase in the nutrient mixture was associated with a mean difference in early childhood receptive vocabulary score of 1.58 points [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.06, 3.10], driven by Zn and Se. A quartile increase in the neurotoxic mixture was associated with a mean difference in mid-childhood visual-motor score of - 3.01 points (95% CI: - 5.55 , - 0.47 ), driven by Ba and Cs. Linear regressions supported quantile g-computation findings for mixture component contributions.

DISCUSSION

Maternal circulating concentrations of several essential (Zn and Se) and nonessential (Ba and Cs) metals were associated with some domains of child cognition. In this folate-replete cohort, first-trimester circulating concentrations of known neurotoxic metals, such as Pb, were not associated with child cognition. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP12016.