According to a study, the important nutrient choline "super-charged
the brain activity of animals in utero, which resulted in the creation
of larger cells that were quicker at firing electrical "signals"
that release memory-forming chemicals.
These significant changes in the brain could be used to explain
how choline improved learning and memory in animals in earlier behavioral
studies. Researchers said this data could mean boosting cognitive
function, diminishing age-related memory decline and decreasing
the brain’s vulnerability to toxic insults in children.
This research has led to the decision to raise choline to the status
of an essential nutrient, particularly for pregnant and nursing
women.
Choline can be found as a naturally occurring nutrient in egg yolks,
milk, nuts, fish, liver and human breast milk.
In a study, the effects of choline on neurons in the hippocampus
were studied using pregnant rats that were given extra amounts of
choline during a short, yet critical time of their pregnancy.
From the study, experts concluded that the choline-induced rats
were more excitable and stronger in their physiologic reactions.
Experts also found that two hippocampal proteins, MAPK and CREB,
which are known contributors to enhancing learning and memory, were
activated in higher amounts in the animals prenatally given the
choline supplement.
Journal
of Neurophysiology April 2004;91(4):1545-55 (Free Full Text
Article)
