title: The role of gangliosides in neurodevelopment.
abstract: Gangliosides are important components of neuronal cell membranes and it is widely accepted that they play a critical role in neuronal and brain development. They are functionally involved in neurotransmission and are thought to support the formation and stabilization of functional synapses and neural circuits required as the structural basis of memory and learning. Available evidence, as reviewed herein, suggests that dietary gangliosides may impact positively on cognitive functions, particularly in the early postnatal period when the brain is still growing. Further, new evidence suggests that the mechanism of action may be through an effect on the neuroplasticity of the brain, mediated through enhanced synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus and nigro-striatal dopaminergic pathway.
authors.affiliation: Centennial Dr, Whitianga 3510, New Zealand. kate.palmano@xtra.co.nz.
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Palmano
authors.affiliation: Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd., Private Bag 11029, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand. angela.rowan@fonterra.com.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rowan
authors.affiliation: Centre for Brain Research, Auckland University, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand. r.guillermo@auckland.ac.nz.
authors.forename: Rozey
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Guillermo
authors.affiliation: Centre for Brain Research, Auckland University, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand. j.guan@auckland.ac.nz.
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Guan
authors.affiliation: Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd., Private Bag 11029, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand. paul.mcjarrow@fonterra.com.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: McJarrow
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development*; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D004032:Diet; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D005732:Gangliosides / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D041943:Infant Formula; D008568:Memory; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity; D013569:Synapses / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D005732:Gangliosides; D004298:Dopamine
keywords: brain; cognition; gangliosides; neurodevelopment; neuroplasticity; nutrition