Dietary lipids are differentially associated with hippocampal-dependent relational memory in prepubescent children.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Studies in rodents and older humans have shown that the hippocampus-a brain structure critical to relational/associative memory-has remarkable plasticity as a result of lifestyle factors (eg, exercise). However, the effect of dietary intake on hippocampal-dependent memory during childhood has remained unexamined.

Objective

We investigated the cross-sectional relation of dietary components characteristic of the Western diet, including saturated fatty acids (SFAs), omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids, and refined sugar, with hippocampal-dependent relational memory in prepubescent children.

Design

Participants aged 7-9 y (n = 52) reported their dietary intake by using the Youth-Adolescent Food-Frequency Questionnaire and completed memory tasks designed to assess relatio

SUBMITTER: Baym CL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3985209 | biostudies-literature | 2014 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature