Brain dynamics and attentional control as a function of body iron status (619.4)

Abstract

Iron deficiency (ID) is a highly prevalent micronutrient deficiency, affecting individuals in both developing and developed countries. Previous research on children with ID report deficits in attention related to variations in brain dynamics as measured using electroencephelography (EEG). We report here the results of analysis of baseline data from a randomized, double‐blind dietary intervention study involving 257 female students (ages 18‐26) at the University of Rwanda, Huye; 54 of these participated in the behavioral and EEG testing, using 3 tasks designed to assess attentional capture and control: (a) simple reaction time (SRT), a test of perceptual processing speed; (b) Go/No‐Go (GNG), a test of inhibitory control; and (c) the Attentional Network Task (ANT), a test of three critical functions of attention. EEG data were collected using a 64‐channel system (BrainProducts, Gilching, Germany), with signals sampled at 250 Hz. We observed statistically significant relationships between blood measures of iron status and the magnitude (positive) and latency (negative) of two EEG components (P1/N1 and P3); a positive relationship with one measure of overall brain activity (global field power) and a positive relationship with one measure of brain activity specific to engaged attention (power in theta‐band activity). These results suggest a critical role for iron in brain dynamics related to attention.Grant Funding Source: HarvestPlus/IFPRI