Early life diet containing prebiotics and bioactive whey protein fractions increased dendritic spine density of rat hippocampal neurons. Issue 55 (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Waworuntu, Rosaline V.; Hanania, Taleen; Boikess, Steven R.; Rex, Christopher S.; Berg, Brian M.
• Is Part Of: International journal of developmental neuroscience. Issue 55(2016:Dec.)
• Page Start: 28
• Page End: 33
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Milk fat globule membrane -- Lactoferrin -- Spine density' -- Brain development; Developmental neurobiology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Neurologie du développement -- Périodiques; Developmental neurobiology; Periodicals; 612.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2016.09.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0736-5748

Abstract

Highlights: Early life dietary factors impact neuronal dendritic spine structure. Milk fat globule membrane and lactoferrin increased total dendritic spine density. These changes were largely driven by hippocampal thin and mushroom spine types. Abstract: Early life nutrition plays an important role in brain development. Emerging research in rodents, piglets and humans suggest that prebiotics, milk fat globule membrane and lactoferrin may each play unique roles in brain development and cognitive functions. However, knowledge of their combined impact is lacking. We show here that providing weanling rats with a diet containing milk fat globule membrane, lactoferrin and a polydextrose/galactooligosaccharide prebiotic blend led to a significant increase in total dendritic spine density in hippocampal dentate gyrus neurons. Region-specific alterations in dendritic spine density and morphology could provide a mechanistic basis underlying broader cognitive benefits, but further research is required to demonstrate functional consequences of these observations.