Videos

The investigation of fatty acid composition, not only in total lipids but also in phospholipids contained in human milk. While phospholipids can be considered an important source of energy, they also afford long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs), which play a pivotal role in growth and brain development in newborn Infants. Phospholipids are important molecules which form membrane lipid bilayers; they are ubiquitous to every cell in the brain, and carry out a host of different functions. Phospholipids play a key role in supporting the integrity, structure, and function of cells in the brain and the protective myelin sheath. Disruption in brain phospholipids content such as imbalance in phospholipid metabolism, signaling and transport has been documented in some neurological conditions. One of the most abundant lipids in the brain is sphingomyelin (SM), which is also one of the most abundant phospholipids in human milk, making up 27% of the lipid content in human milk. the high content of SM is considered of importance for infants as it contributes approximate 17% of the total choline to the neonates. The effect of dietary SM has been demonstrated in both preclinical and clinical studies. Clinically, a very low birth weight preterm infants fed with high SM containing formula was shown to be associated with improved behavior rating scores, information processing, and sustained attention at 18 months. Recently, an observational study reported an association of SM as well as phosphatidylcholine (PC) in myelination. The data suggest that dietary intake of these components may be important during the rapid brain development period. This presentation summarizes the current understanding of the impact of phospholipids in brain development. Part 1 Lecture with Prof Sean Deoni

In this, the fourth edition of our series, we turn to Dr Sanja Budisavljevic, Senior Specialist in Child Development, and find out what is learning for her. She will highlight the hot topic of ‘Cognitive Stimulation for Learning’. In this video she will discuss: WHAT is cognitive stimulation? WHEN is the best period for stimulation? WHY is it important? WHO are the main providers? HOW to promote it?

In this, the third in our series we asked Dr Muriel Bruchhage a Post-doctoral Research Associate at Rhode Island Hospital and Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University, as well as a Visiting Researcher at King’s College London, what is learning to her? She will discuss how brain structural and functional networks are facilitating the learning mechanisms and in particular, how learning new skills through early childhood and infancy shapes our brain by creating a functional roadmap: laying the foundation for early developmental milestones building up to more complex cognitive functions including executive functions showing how learning skills continues to shape the structural and functional networks of our brain throughout our lives

Myelination – the process in which neuronal axons are wrapped in a lipid-rich sheath – ensures fast, efficient and synchronized communication between neurons and thus facilitates information processing. Studies suggest a direct link between myelination and brain maturation and cognitive development, i.e. white matter development in specific regions of the brain is correlated with the onset of developmental milestones. Myelination has also been correlated with the development of cognitive skills, e.g. general cognitive ability, language and reading, working memory, processing speed and sensory reactivity. Sphingomyelin, which is particularly rich in the myelin sheath, supports myelin integrity and function, and axonal maturation. Higher levels of dietary sphingomyelin in the first three months of life has been significantly associated with verbal development in the first two years of life, as well as higher levels of myelin content at 12-24 months, delayed onset, and/or more prolonged rates of myelination in different brain areas. These findings suggest early life provision of dietary sphingomyelin may contribute to learning and development, through its role in supporting myelination. Part 1 lecture with Prof Berthold Koletzko