Do food bioactives play a role in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder?

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Accumulated adverse events, including insufficient nutrition, throughout pregnancy and infancy can disrupt brain development as well as early learning and cognition. Food neuropsychology research in childhood investigates the pathway from prenatal and postnatal nutrient supply to long-term brain function and mental health. Adequate food supply and nutrition from conception through infancy play an essential role in normal brain development and cognitive functioning and may also influence vulnerability to mental disease later in life. Neurodevelopmental processes, such as neuron proliferation, myelination and synaptogenesis, occur rapidly during pregnancy and infancy and are critically dependent on a sufficient supply of a variety of nutrients, including protein, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, iodine, iron and zinc. The investigation of the molecular basis of food effects on cognition and mood will help ascertain early-life nutritional requirements in order that brain functions and mental fitness may be enhanced. There is currently no convincing evidence of beneficial effects of nutrients or food bioactives in child mental disorders. Numerous issues in the examination of the effects of specific nutrients, including the identification of nutrients critical at different phases of brain development and the optimal dosage and duration of supplementation, require further research.

Section: Food Neuropsychology and Child Mental Disordersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Food neuropsychology and child brain development

Lange¹,

Lange²

2021

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“…While the etiology of ADHD appears to be multifactorial, definite causes remain unknown. Doubts regarding the effectiveness of commonly used ADHD therapies on clinically relevant outcome measures, the unproven long-term efficacy of treatment and concerns surrounding potentially serious adverse effects of medication have led to a search for alternative treatment options (Lange, 2017;Lange, 2018a;Lange, 2020b), including micro-and macronutrients and diets (Lange, 2018b;Lange, 2018c). Recent findings suggest that the gut microbiome dysbiosis associated with dietary patterns may be linked to a susceptibility to ADHD (Wang et al, 2020).…”

Section: Gut Microbiota In Mental Disordersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Is there a role of gut microbiota in mental health?

Lange¹,

Lange²,

Nakamura³

et al. 2020

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Research on the interaction between gut microbiota and the brain may have implications for our understanding of brain function, cognition, behavior and mental health. The literature on gut microbiota and its role in the pathophysiology and potential treatment of mental disorders has proliferated in recent years. Several neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorders, schizophrenia and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, have been linked to the gut microbiota. The present perspective discusses the promise and pitfalls of gut microbiota research in relation to mental health. The manipulation of intestinal microbes in animals has revealed connections between gut microbiota and both normal and pathological brain functions. The hope fueling this research is that gut microbiota could be harnessed to prevent and treat mental disorders. The links observed between an imbalance of gut microbiota and impaired behavioral and mental states in humans are correlational. It is therefore essential to establish cause and effect relationships. No distinct gut microbiota patterns linked to different mental disorders have yet been identified. Large-scale, longitudinal trials need to examine whether the gut microbiota is a valid therapeutic target for mental disorders and whether pre-clinical findings and initial results of intervention trials (e.g., administration of probiotics) are of clinical relevance.

“…In short, depression is a clinically and probably pathophysiologically heterogeneous condition. Thus, as in other mental disorders, there is unlikely to be a one-fits-all solution in regard to the therapeutic efficacy of food bioactives such as probiotics (Lange, 2018b;Lange et al 2020). The identification of subgroups of people who are most likely to benefit from probiotic supplementation may therefore be necessary.…”

Section: Table 2 Potential Mechanisms Involved In Probiotic Effects mentioning

confidence: 99%

The use of probiotics in depression

Lange¹,

Nakamura²,

Lange³

2020

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Probiotics are thought to play a role in the extensive bidirectional communication between gut microbiota and the brain. A growing body of preclinical data suggests that probiotics may be effective in alleviating low mood and improving depressive symptoms. Preliminary evidence derived from studies in rodent models supports the view that single-strain or multi-strain preparations of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus are able to improve behaviors related to depression. The extent of antidepressant effects in humans with a clinical diagnosis of depression is less clear. While some support for the efficacy of probiotic supplementation has been found, the pooled effects in meta-analyses have generally been small. The positive effects reported for probiotics in major depression should be regarded as preliminary. Large, randomized trials assessing the efficacy of specific probiotic strain combinations over various time spans in individuals with clinically significant presentations of depression are needed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of probiotics. In light of accumulating evidence showing that probiotics may have beneficial effects in reducing depressive symptoms and may be useful as an adjunct intervention in major depressive disorder, the efficacy of probiotic foods in the prevention of depression should be investigated.