Choline: Needed for normal development of memory

Choline is a dietary component essential for normal function of all cells. It, or its metabolites, assures the structural integrity and signaling func tions of cell membranes; it is the major source of methyl-groups in the die t (one of choline's metabolites, betaine, participates in the methylation o f homocysteine to form methionine); and it directly affects nerve signaling , cell signaling and lipid transport/metabolism. In 1998, the National Acad emy of Sciences, USA, issued a report identifying choline as a required nut rient for humans and recommended daily intake amounts. Eggs are an excellen t dietary source of choline. Pregnancy and lactation are periods when maternal reserves of choline are d epleted. At the same time, the availability of choline for normal developme nt of the brain is critical. When rat pups received choline supplements (in utero or during the second week of life), their brain function changed, re sulting in the lifelong memory enhancement. This change in memory function appears to be due to changes in the development of the memory center (hippo campus) in the brain. The mother's dietary choline during a critical period in brain development of her infant influences the rate of birth and death of nerve cells in this center. These changes am so important that we can pi ck out the groups of animals whose mothers had extra choline even when thes e animals are elderly. Thus, memory function in the aged rat is, in part, d etermined by what the mother ate. This is not the first example of a critic al nutrient that must be present at a specific time in brain development. I f folate isn't available in the first few weeks of pregnancy, the brain doe s not form normally. Thus, we suggest that pregnancy is a period when speci al attention has to be paid to dietary intake.