Development of the nervous system is an essential part of embryonic and infant development, with immature and embryonic tissues eventually developing into a fully functional brain, spinal cord, and thousands of nerves distributed throughout the body. Infant brain development continues after birth, as regions of the brain develop new nerve cells that control memory and learning, as well as nerve pathways essential for behavioral control and personality. The development of the nervous system -- as well as other organ systems within the developing infant -- depends partially on nutrients obtained from an infant's diet.
Process of Brain Development
Brain development begins early in embryonic development with the formation of a neural tube. As the embryo develops, the tube bulges to form the rudimentary forebrain, midbrain and hindbrain. Each region of the brain develops to contain millions of nerve cells. After birth, as the infant grows, stem cells located within the brain continue to give rise to new brain nerves, a process called neurogenesis. Proper neurogenesis is important to the physical, intellectual and emotional growth of an infant, and some types of neurogenesis continue throughout adolescence and into adulthood to support continued learning.
Vitamin B-9
One nutrient essential to an infant's nervous system growth is folic acid, or vitamin B-9. Folic acid proves important to the initial steps in brain development, as the vitamin helps form the neural tube: the tissue that serves as a blueprint from which an infant's brain develops. Deficiencies in vitamin B-9 during pregnancy lead to neural tube defects, and can cause an infant to be born with their brain exposed, according to the Duke Center for Human Genetics. Women expecting a child should consume pre-natal vitamins as a source of folic acid to help support proper embryonic and infant brain development.
Vitamin E
Another nutrient essential to infant brain development and function is vitamin E, a family containing eight fat-soluble compounds. Vitamin E proves essential to cognitive functioning, and helps to prevent damage to brain cells that can impair brain function. The Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University explains that developing infants and children risk profound neurological damage as a result of vitamin E deficiency, highlighting the importance of vitamin E in the developing brain. Many infants with vitamin E deficiency develop the condition to poor nutrition in utero, so following a high-quality diet and consuming pre-natal vitamins can help fight vitamin E deficiency in infants.
Choline
Choline also plays a role in the developing infant brain. One essential stage in brain development is the formation of synapses: junctions between two nerve cells, through which the cells communicate with each other. Without proper synapse formation, cells within your brain cannot communicate, and cannot develop the nerve networks required for brain function. Choline contributes to synapse formation, according to a study published in "Metabolism Clinical and Experimental" in 2008. As a result, the nutrient proves essential for infant brain development, when the formation of new synapses allows the infant to grow and learn.
References
- Duke Center for Human Genetics: Neural Tube Defects
- Linus Pauling Institute; Micronutrients and Cognitive Functioning; Dr. Victoria Drake; February 2011
- "Metabolism Clinical and Experimental;" Synapse formation and cognitive brain development: effect of docosahexaenoic acid and other dietary constituents; Dr. Richard Wurtman; 2008
