Vitamin A Can Help You Get A’s
Written by Carolyn Chiu
Edited by Priya Ram
July 31st 2021
Edited by Priya Ram
July 31st 2021
How the brain learns is a fundamental question for neuroscientists. Studying the brain’s capability to remember is crucial to treating patients with cognitive dysfunction. Vitamin A is not a magic pill, but it can increase our brain’s capability to store new information.
The brain responds to new information and forms memories by reorganizing synapses, a property called neuroplasticity. Synapses are the connections between any two nerve cells. Yes, that means your brain is constantly changing! Neurons communicate with each other at synapses through dendritic spines, miniscule protrusions from dendrites. While rodent neuroplasticity is known to respond positively to vitamin A derivatives, we were unsure if human brains react to these derivatives the same way. The University of Freiburg in Germany conducted a study to investigate how a vitamin A derivative called alls-trans retinoic acid promotes human neuroplasticity.
The research team treated brain tissue samples from eight individuals with alls-trans retinoic acid and detected an increase in the amplitude of excitatory signals. These results encouraged them to focus on how synapses and dendritic spines in particular are affected. Further tests reveal a morphological difference between the test group of dendritic spines treated with alls-trans retinoic acid and the control group that was not exposed to alls-trans retinoic acid. Dendritic spines from the test group saw an increase in head size, a characteristic that positively correlates to excitatory synaptic strength. This observation demonstrates a direct relationship between alls-trans retinoic acid and structural and functional plasticity.
This study provides insight on how neuroplasticity develops and biochemical pathways through which vitamin A derivatives interact with neurons. The evident benefits of alls-trans retinoic acid promises improved treatment for cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and depression. To improve your own brain’s plasticity, consider filling up on foods rich in vitamin A such as fish and cheese!