Brain Development

The first 3 years of life represent a rapid and dynamic period of brain maturation Most brain processes during the period are primarily focused on connecting the brain by myelination and formation of new brain connections Early life nutrition is an important and modifiable factor that can shape myelination and subsequently cognitive outcomes Sphingomyelin plays an important role in cognitive development via its structural and functional involvement in CNS myelination. Infancy and early childhood are critical windows for brain growth and cognitive development. Malnutrition in the prenatal & postnatal periods may decrease myelin-specific lipids in the brain with major consequences on brain structure and function. Human milk is the preferred source of nutrition for infants and naturally contains sphingomyelin!

The first 3 years of life represent a rapid and dynamic period of brain maturation. Most brain processes during the period are primarily focused on connecting the brain by myelination and formation of new brain connections. Early life nutrition is an important and modifiable factor that can shape synaptogenesis, myelination, and subsequently cognitive outcomes. Sphingomyelin plays an important role in cognitive development via its structural and functional involvement in myelination & synaptic plasticity.  Early life nutrition is an important modifiable factor that determine myelination & consequently cognitive functioning. Early myelination trajectories are associated with development of cognitive abilities & outcomes There is a strong correlation between emergence of specific cognitive function and myelination of brain regions and networks subserving that function Human milk is the preferred source of nutrition for infants and naturally contains Essential nutrients for development of synapses, myelination, and cognitive functions!

Cognition refers to a range of mental processes relating to the acquisition, storage, manipulation, and retrieval of information. These cognitive processes include thinking, knowing, remembering, judging, and problem-solving. Healthy human brain development represents the foundation of our civilization because the brain is the organ from which all our cognition and emotion originate. Therefore, there is perhaps nothing more important for a society than to foster and protect the development of the brain of our children.  

Adequate nutrition is necessary for normal brain development. Nutrition is especially important during pregnancy and infancy, which are crucial periods for the formation of the brain, and lays the foundation for the development of cognitive, motor, and socio-emotional skills throughout childhood and adulthood. Human milk oligosaccharides are the 3rd largest component of breast milk and are significant for the development of the gut-brain-immune axis. HMOs –have prebiotic, anti-inflammatory, anti –adhesive, immune-modulation and serve as nutrients for the brain for brain development, neuronal transmission, and synaptogenesis.