Nutrition & Cognition

Question 1

effects of iron def in early life?

Answer 1

hippocampal deficits & altered myelin

Question 2

what is iron required for?

Answer 2

DHA synthesis

Question 3

where is zinc found in high concentrations?

Answer 3

hippocampus

Question 4

role of zinc?

Answer 4

key modulator of intra and extracellular signalling

Question 5

what role does zinc play in brain growth?

Answer 5

Important for brain growth during 24-40 weeks gestation & adolescence

Question 6

what do mild and severe Iodine def result in?

Answer 6

mild- cognitive impairment

severe- cretinism

Question 7

what is copper important for?

Answer 7

• myelin development

- ferroxidase activity & therefore iron flow into brain

Question 8

what is choline important for in brain?

Answer 8

proliferation, differentiation & migration of neural stem cells

Question 9

choline def cause?

Answer 9

spina bifida

Question 10

important roles of choline ? 2

Answer 10

• important in cell structure (forms acetylcholine & phosphatidylcholine)
• reduces hippocampal apoptosis
• improves learning, visuo spatial & auditory memory

Question 11

what is B1 important for?

Answer 11

glucose absorption by brain

Question 12

def of B1 causes?

Answer 12

severe motor & cognitive problems (pseudohypoxia)

Question 13

what is B6 important for?

Answer 13

• important co-factor in many enzymes
• co-factor in limiting dopamine, norarenaline, serotonin and GABA synthesis
• important for brain glucose regulation

Question 14

what is B9 (folic acid) important for

Answer 14

• essential for homocysteine metabolism

- production of enzymes involved in neurotransmitter synthesis from amino acids

Question 15

what is B12 important for?

Answer 15

• essential for homocysteine metabolism
• neurotransmitter synthesis
• myelin sheath

Question 16

what does hereditary deficiency of b12 result in?

Answer 16

loss of white matter

Question 17

what is vit C important for?

Answer 17

• essential co-factor for many enzymes
• modulates cholinergic, glutaminergic and catecholaminergic systems
• neuronal development & myelination

Question 18

def of vit C causes ? (brain)

Answer 18

reduced brain volume

Question 19

what does vit C affect

Answer 19

folic acid metabolism & iron absorption

Question 20

what is vit D important for

Answer 20

metabolite induces nerve growth factor (NGF) which promotes neurite growth & inhibits apoptosis

Question 21

why is vit E important?

Answer 21

prevents lipid peroxidation in membranes; protective

Question 22

what does vit E deficiency lead to?

Answer 22

cerebellar ataxia neuropathy

Question 23

what is vit k essential for? (2)

Answer 23

• shingolipid biosynthesis

- activation of vit K dependant proteins involved in neuronal proliferation & myelination

Question 24

what FA’s are inflammatory and which anti-inflammatory

Answer 24

EPA & DHA- anti inflammatory

AA- pro-inflammatory