The relation of human milk lutein, choline, and docosahexaenoic acid content to recognition memory abilities of 6‐month‐old breastfed infants (247.4)

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the relation of human milk lutein, choline, and DHA with recognition memory abilities of 6‐month‐olds. METHODS: Two hundred breastfeeding dyads were enrolled when the infants were 3‐4 months of age. Milk samples were obtained and analyzed for fatty acids, lutein, and choline. One hundred two of the 200 were invited at age 6 months to participate in an electrophysiology session. Recognition memory was tested with a 70‐30 oddball paradigm during which high‐density 128‐lead event‐related potential (ERP) data were collected. Sixty‐seven infants provided usable ERP data; of those, 59 had complete nutrient data. The differences between latency to minimum, minimum amplitude, and mean amplitude when viewing familiar and novel stimuli were analyzed by averaging activity at 6 different collections of leads (Frontal Right, Frontal Central, Frontal Left, Central, Midline, and Parietal) and subjecting the data to stepwise regression modeling. RESULTS: Final regression models revealed significant interactions. The lutein by free choline interaction was significant for the difference in latency scores at Frontal Left and Central areas (p<0.05 and p<0.001, respectively). Higher choline levels with higher lutein levels were related to better recognition memory. The DHA by lutein interaction was significant for the parietal area in mean amplitude and minimum amplitude (p<0.05). Recognition memory was higher when DHA was high and lutein was low. CONCLUSION: Interactions between human milk nutrients appear important in predicting infant cognition, and there may be benefit associated with specific nutrient combinations. Grant Funding Source : Nutrition Obesity Research Center (NIH grant), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, The Bill