Human Milk and Brain Development in Infants
Martina Chiurazzi, Mauro Cozzolino, Tilman Reinelt, Thi Dao Nguyen, Stefanie Elke Chie, Giancarlo Natalucci, Maria Consolata Miletta
Abstract
Human milk is considered the most advantageous source of nourishment for infants. Even though there is no ideal composition of human milk, it still contains a unique combination of components that contribute to brain development. The aim of this review is to provide an overview on the possible correlation of human milk with the neurodevelopment of infants, with a special emphasis on myelination and epigenetic modifications. Research in human milk is a rapidly expanding field and cutting-edge technologies might contribute to identify specific mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects on human milk on neurodevelopment.