Maternal Fatty Acid Intake and Effects on Functional Connectivity in Neonates

Abstract

The objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the association of maternal fatty acid (FA) intake during pregnancy with functional connectivity (FC) in the brains of their offspring. Pregnant women (mean(SD) = 30.5(4.8)) were recruited from the Portland, OR area. During the 2nd trimester, 24‐hour recalls were completed and blood was drawn. Average percent fat intake was computed and the concentration of omega‐3 FAs in the blood was determined with HPLC. After birth, neonates (N=16) were scanned using resting state functional connectivity MRIs (rsfc‐MRI) at <40 days of age. The amygdala and posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) were used as seed regions, and FC was compared between those above and below the median cut‐off for percent fat (<35% vs. 蠅35%) and omega‐3 FAs (<440 nmol/ml, vs. 蠅440 nmol/ml). After adjustment for multiple comparisons, none of the findings were statistically significant due to small sample size. However, interesting visual differences were suggestive for future research. When using the PCC as the seed region, greater FC was observed in the neonates born to mothers with omega‐3 FA concentrations 蠅440 nmol/ml. Similarly, qualitatively greater FC with the PCC and the amygdala was noted in infants born to mothers who consumed a diet with <35% fat. This preliminary MRI data supports the idea that future research is needed to look at the effects of maternal FA intake on brain development using rsfc‐MRI in infants. Funding: The Moore Nutrition and Wellness Institute