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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Boston, Massachusetts » Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #343364
Title: Nutritional factors affecting adult neurogenesis and cognitive function

Author
item POULOSE, SHIBU - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University
item Miller, Marshall
item SCOTT, TAMMY - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University
item Shukitt-Hale, Barbara

Submitted to: Advances in Nutrition
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/14/2017
Publication Date: 11/1/2017
Citation: Poulose, S.M., Miller, M.G., Scott, T., Shukitt Hale, B. 2017. Nutritional factors affecting adult neurogenesis and cognitive function. Advances in Nutrition. 8:804-811.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Adult neurogenesis, a complex process by which stem cells in the hippocampal brain region differentiate and proliferate into new neurons and other resident brain cells, is known to be affected by many intrinsic and extrinsic factors, including diet. Neurogenesis plays a critical role in neural plasticity, brain homeostasis, and maintenance in the central nervous system and constitutes a crucial factor in preserving the cognitive function and repair of damaged brain cells affected by aging and brain disorders. Many dietary components such as curcumin, resveratrol, blueberry polyphenols, sulforaphane, salvionic acid, polyunsaturated fatty acids, diets enriched with polyphenols and polyunsaturated fatty acids (LMN diet), as well as caloric restriction, physical exercise and learning, have been shown to induce neurogenesis in adult brain. Even though many of the underlying mechanisms by which nutrients and dietary factors affect adult neurogenesis have yet to be determined, nutritional approaches provide promising prospects to stimulate adult neurogenesis in order to combat neurodegenerative diseases and cognitive decline. In this review, we summarize the current evidence supporting the role of nutritional factors in modifying adult neurogenesis and their potential to preserve cognitive function during aging.