Neonatal obesity: implications for brain memory dysfunction and environmental intervention as a mitigating factor.

SCHUMACHER, R.; STOKER, C.; FABRE, N.; ANDREOLI, M.F.; ROSSETTI, M.F; CANESINI, G.; RAMOS, J.G

virtual

Congreso; FENS 2020 virtual forum; 2020

During the last decade, several authors reported that metabolic disorders exacerbate processes associated with degeneration of brain functions and therefore promote addictive disorders, cognitive decline and vulnerability to brain injuries. Most of these studies were described in adults; however, the study of consequences of childhood obesity in the nervous system (NS) is an area of growing interest, considering that these conditions could be maintained in time and continue until adult life. To explore the importance of neonatal overnutrition on cognition and to analyze the environment as a mitigating factor of negative effects.Our results indicate that neonatal obesity may affect cognitive functions (ELM) in adulthood, suggesting a long-lasting effect of nutritional experience during critical periods of early postnatal growth. Moreover, environmental intervention through cognitive and social stimulation could attenuate these effects.