They discovered that the sugar molecule promoted greater synaptic connection and increased synapse abundance in neurons.
n addition to providing sustenance for newborns, breast milk also includes vital micronutrients necessary for a child’s proper brain development. Myo-inositol, a unique component of breast milk, has recently been linked to an important discovery regarding how newborns’ developing brains build synaptic connections.
This finding emphasizes the influence of diet on cognitive function and emphasizes the significance of comprehending the complexity of breast milk beyond its nutritional content.
Myo-inositol
A ubiquitous component of ordinary adult diets, including as fruits and grains, myo-inositol is a little cyclic sugar molecule that is present in breast milk.
In support of the growth of neuronal connections in newborns’ developing brains, myo-inositol plays a key role, according to a study that was published in PNAS on July 11.
According to the primary investigator and associate professor of neurology Thomas Biederer, PhD, “the effects of micronutrients on the brain are really under-appreciated.” I was astounded by our findings as a neuroscientist.
While earlier studies suggested that breast milk has a positive impact on newborns’ cognitive development, the underlying mechanisms were not fully understood. Some studies hypothesized that these advantages may be caused by undiscovered components found in breast milk.
The study sheds light on how the bioactive substances in breast milk support the growth and development of the baby’s brain.
The analysis of breast milk samples taken throughout the breastfeeding period and supplied by women from various geographic regions, including Cincinnati, Mexico City, and Shanghai, served as the study’s initial beginning point.
According to the researchers, some micronutrients that are consistently present in all samples, regardless of diet, ethnicity, or geographic location, may have important biological implications.
They were especially interested in locating elements that underwent constant transformations throughout lactation.
The function of myo-inositol in neuronal connection
The scientists found that early in lactation, myo-inositol was present in significant concentrations in all samples of breast milk and steadily reduced with time. It’s interesting to see that this pattern persisted in all three places. According to Biederer, the mother “is very robustly controlling the molecule.”
The scientists examined the effects of Myo-inositol using a variety of models, including cultured human neurons and brain tissue, to comprehend its effect on brain development.
They discovered that the sugar molecule promoted greater synaptic connection and increased synapse abundance in neurons.
The benefits of breastfeeding
The results of the study demonstrate the critical importance of breast milk in promoting the development of neural connections in a baby’s brain. “Our study demonstrates that breast milk is extremely valuable in how mothers can support the formation of connections in an infant’s brain,” claims Biederer. It demonstrates the significance of appreciating the complexity of breast milk. The mother’s body is incredibly adept in adjusting the composition of breast milk to meet what the newborn requires at different stages of growth, making it more than just a source of calories.
The brain later fine-tunes and optimizes these connections, but the current study concentrated on how these connections initially emerge in the first few months after birth. As refining is a crucial step in creating the proper patterns in the brain, Biederer’s future research will examine how breast milk aids newborns during this final stage of development.