The study reveals the effect of folic acid on the brain of the fetus

Our researchers report that maternal support programs with folic acid supplements not only protect fetuses from congenital malformations. At birth, but also supports the healthy growth of the brain until they reach their teenage years.
B Joshua L. "It has been known for more than 20 years that maternal support for folate protects fetuses from spinal paralysis and other neurological defects," said Ruffman Massachusetts General Hospital in Charlestown. "But our findings are the first to link folic acid and improve brain health in adolescents," he said, pointing out that the effect is due to some changes in the development of brain growth, reported Reuters.

The researchers evaluated the association between folic acid consumption and cerebral cortex and the risk of mental disorders in preterm infants aged 8 to 18 years, during and after the implementation of the Folic acid support program, 1996-1998.

The report, published in the Journal of Gamma Psychiatry, shows that the thickness of the cerebral cortex was greater in young born after the full implementation of support, and the average thickness in young people born before the start of the program. Program.

The cerebral cortex, having reached its full thickness, begins to thicken in a selective size process, the researchers said. The delay was associated with high IQ, while its acceleration was associated with diseases such as schizophrenia and autism.

This study showed a correlation between the maternal folic acid support program and the slower deceleration of the cerebral cortex, which in turn reduces the risk of psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia.

"Despite the long-standing recommendation that women of childbearing age should take folic acid to protect against neural tube defects, especially in cases of unplanned pregnancy, most women still able to to reproduce do not take dietary supplements.And less than half of them in the world live in countries that implement a program of support to mothers suffering from folic acid. "

pointed out that the results show that folic acid "provides additional protection for brain health, beyond its effects on the neural channel."