Cited by 235Iron Metabolism and DisordersTrace Elements in HealthNeurological diseases and metabolism

The Role of Iron in Learning and Memory

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Fretham, Stephanie J.B., Carlson, Erik S., Georgieff, Michael K.·2011·Advances in Nutrition

Abstract

Iron deficiency (ID) is the most common nutrient deficiency, affecting 2 billion people and 30% of pregnant women and their offspring. Early life ID affects at least 3 major neurobehavioral domains, including speed of processing, affect, and learning and memory, the latter being particularly prominent. The learning and memory deficits occur while the infants are iron deficient and persist despite iron repletion. The neural mechanisms underlying the short- and long-term deficits are being elucidated. Early ID alters the transcriptome, metabolome, structure, intracellular signaling pathways, and electrophysiology of the developing hippocampus, the brain region responsible for recognition learning and memory. Until recently, it was unclear whether these effects are directly due to a lack of iron interacting with important transcriptional, translational, or post-translational processes or to indirect effects such as hypoxia due to anemia or stress. Nonanemic genetic mouse models generated by conditionally altering expression of iron transport proteins specifically in hippocampal neurons in late gestation have led to a greater understanding of iron's role in learning and memory. The learning deficits in adulthood likely result from interactions between direct and indirect effects that contribute to abnormal hippocampal structure and plasticity.

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Crossref · 10.3945/an.110.000190

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Authors
Fretham, S. J. B., Carlson, E. S., & Georgieff, M. K.
Affiliations
University of Minnesota (US)
Corresponding author
Georgieff, Michael K.
Venue
Advances in Nutrition
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2011-03
Volume
2
Issue
2
Pages
112-121
ISSN
  • 2156-5376 (ISSN-L)
  • 2161-8313
OpenAlex
W2097509137
Cited by
235
References
115
Citations by year
2026: 9 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 15 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 21 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 20 · 2017: 21 · 2016: 22 · 2015: 24 · 2014: 14 · 2013: 13 · 2012: 5
FWCI
1.44
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Advances in Nutrition (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health (HD039386)
  • National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (F31NS063667, F31NS047876)
  • Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (R01 HD29421, R21HD054490, R01HD029421, P01HD039386)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Hematology › Iron Metabolism and Disorders
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Trace Elements in Health
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Neurological diseases and metabolism
Keywords
iron deficiency, learning and memory, hippocampus, neurobehavioral deficits, iron repletion, iron transport proteins, mouse model, hypoxia, anemia, hippocampal plasticity, intracellular signaling
MeSH terms
Iron Deficiencies, Adolescent, Adult, Animals, Child, Child, Preschool, Female, Hippocampus, Humans, Infant, Infant, Newborn, Learning, Memory, Neurons, Pregnancy, Trace Elements, Gene Expression, Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, Iron, Dietary, Mice, Rats, Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit, TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases

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