Developmental Neuroscience

Original Paper

Giving Uridine and/or Docosahexaenoic Acid Orally to Rat Dams during Gestation and Nursing Increases Synaptic Elements in Brains of Weanling Pups

Cansev M.a, b · Marzloff G.a · Sakamoto T.a, c · Ulus I.H.a, b · Wurtman R.J.a

Author affiliations

aDepartment of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Mass., USA; bDepartment of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, Uludag University Medical School, Bursa, Turkey; cDepartment of Medical Rehabilitation, Kobegakuin University, Kobe, Japan

Keywords: DevelopmentDocosahexaenoic acidUridineMembrane phosphatidesDendritic spinesSynaptic proteinsSynaptogenesisInfant nutrition

Related Articles for ""
Dev Neurosci 2009;31:181–192
https://doi.org/10.1159/000193394

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Article / Publication Details

First-Page Preview
Abstract of Original Paper

Received: April 09, 2008
Accepted: September 04, 2008
Published online: January 15, 2009
Issue release date: April 2009

Number of Print Pages: 12
Number of Figures: 4
Number of Tables: 2

ISSN: 0378-5866 (Print)
eISSN: 1421-9859 (Online)

For additional information: https://www.karger.com/DNE

Abstract

Developing neurons synthesize substantial quantities of membrane phospholipids in producing new synapses. We investigated the effects of maternal uridine (as uridine-5′-monophosphate) and docosahexaenoic acid supplementation on pups’ brain phospholipids, synaptic proteins and dendritic spine densities. Dams consumed neither, 1 or both compounds for 10 days before parturition and 20 days while nursing. By day 21, brains of weanlings receiving both exhibited significant increases in membrane phosphatides, various pre- and postsynaptic proteins (synapsin-1, mGluR1, PSD-95), and in hippocampal dendritic spine densities. Administering these phosphatide precursors to lactating mothers or infants could be useful for treating developmental disorders characterized by deficient synapses.

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Article / Publication Details

First-Page Preview
Abstract of Original Paper

Received: April 09, 2008
Accepted: September 04, 2008
Published online: January 15, 2009
Issue release date: April 2009

Number of Print Pages: 12
Number of Figures: 4
Number of Tables: 2

ISSN: 0378-5866 (Print)
eISSN: 1421-9859 (Online)

For additional information: https://www.karger.com/DNE

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