{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"institution":[{"name":"medRxiv"}],"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,4]],"date-time":"2026-07-04T17:18:54Z","timestamp":1783185534615,"version":"3.54.6"},"posted":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,2]]},"group-title":"Nutrition","reference-count":68,"publisher":"openRxiv","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,2]],"date-time":"2026-07-02T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1782950400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) National Institutes of Health","award":["SCD UG3OD023313"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["SCD UG3OD023313"]}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":[],"accepted":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,2]]},"abstract":"<jats:title>ABSTRACT<\/jats:title>\n                <jats:p>\n                  While substantial research has examined the role of infant nutrition in early brain and cognitive development, the links between later childhood nutrition, brain development, and cognitive and academic skills remain less explored. In this work, we investigated for the first time the direct and indirect associations between nutrition intake, white matter microstructure and structural connectivity, and cognitive and academic outcomes. Using longitudinal data from typically developing children aged 2 to 14 years, we combined neuroimaging, dietary, and cognitive measures to test direct associations between nutrition and brain structure and connectivity, as well as cognitive and learning outcomes, and to assess whether brain development mediated these relationships. We found that specific nutrients, including DHA, sphingomyelin, iron, niacin, choline, and palmitoleic acid (omega-7), were associated with improved brain structure and connectivity, as well as better cognitive and learning outcomes. We also found that brain development partly mediated the association between childhood nutrition and learning outcomes. To our knowledge, this is the first study to show such a pathway in school-age children. These results add to the growing literature demonstrating the ongoing importance of nutrition beyond infancy in supporting childhood brain and cognitive development.\n                  <jats:fig id=\"ufig1\" position=\"float\" orientation=\"portrait\" fig-type=\"figure\">\n                    <jats:graphic xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" xlink:href=\"26356557v1_ufig1\" position=\"float\" orientation=\"portrait\"\/>\n                  <\/jats:fig>\n                <\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.64898\/2026.07.01.26356557","type":"posted-content","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,2]],"date-time":"2026-07-02T22:20:12Z","timestamp":1783030812000},"source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Nutrition, Cognition and Learning: The Role of White Matter Development and Connectivity"],"prefix":"10.64898","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-5521-8232","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Diandra","family":"Brki\u0107","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Nestl\u00e9 Institute of Health Sciences, Nestl\u00e9 Research, Lausanne, CH"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Jonas","family":"Hauser","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Nestl\u00e9 Production and Technology Center, Konolfingen, CH"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Charles-Edouard","family":"Rouault","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Ecole Polytechnique F\u00e9d\u00e9rale (EPFL), Lausanne, CH"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Iaroslava","family":"Semenova","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Nestl\u00e9 Institute of Health Sciences, Nestl\u00e9 Research, Lausanne, CH"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Fabio","family":"Mainardi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Nestl\u00e9 Institute of Health Sciences, Nestl\u00e9 Research, Lausanne, CH"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Sean","family":"Deoni","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Advanced Baby Imaging Lab, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence RI, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"54368","reference":[{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/S0301-0511(00)00058-2"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1097\/00004583-200109000-00009"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.neuropsychologia.2005.10.010"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1037\/rev0000153"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.dcn.2020.100764"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fnana.2016.00084"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1093\/cercor\/bhu027"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1073\/pnas.2002645117"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1093\/cercor\/bhv065"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.intell.2018.12.003"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1162\/0898929041920441"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1038\/s41539-022-00127-w"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/nu13010199"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1073\/pnas.2409985122"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3945\/an.115.010363"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fnut.2024.1470713"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fnins.2016.00240"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1093\/nutrit\/nuaf280"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1093\/nutrit\/nuac089"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.neuropsychologia.2003.11.022"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.21","unstructured":"Kumar MV , Rajagopalan S. Multiple micronutrient fortification of salt and its effect on cognition in Chennai school children. 2006."},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/09637480220164370"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/nu15173754"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/nu15204439"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s00247-013-2752-8"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1002\/mrm.21704"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1002\/mrm.24429"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1002\/mrm.1910310614"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3233\/BPL-160033"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/21622965.2015.1015337"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.31","unstructured":"Wechsler D , Psychological Corporation. WPPSI-IV : Wechsler preschool and primary scale of intelligence -- fourth edition. 4th ed. 2012;1 technical and interpretive manual (xi, 256 pages; 28 cm), 1 administration and scoring manual (xi, 331 pages 24 cm), 3 stimulus books, 1 box of 14 red and white blocks, 1 box of 13 cardboard object assembly puzzles, 1 box zoo locations card set with ink dauber, 1 extra ink dauber, 1 folder of 3 zoo locations layouts, 3 response booklets (Bug search, Cancellation, Animal coding), 2 record forms (ages 2:6-3:11, ages 4:0-7:7), 3 bug search scoring key cards, 1 animal coding scoring key, 1 cancellation scoring template; in suitcase 50 x 37 x 26 cm. Located at: WorldCat"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.32","unstructured":"Messer MA. Academic Achievement Battery (AAB) Comprehensive Form. Lutz, FL: PAR, Inc.; 2014."},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Gershon RC , Wagster MV , Hendrie HC , Fox NA , Cook KF , Nowinski CJ . NIH Toolbox for Assessment of Neurological and Behavioral Function. Bethesda, MD: National Institutes of Health; 2013.","DOI":"10.1212\/WNL.0b013e3182872e5f"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Gioia GA , Isquith PK , Guy SC , Kenworthy L. Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, Second Edition (BRIEF2). Lutz, FL: PAR, Inc.; 2015.","DOI":"10.1037\/t79467-000"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.35","unstructured":"Achenbach TM , Rescorla LA. Manual for the ASEBA Child Behavior Checklist\/1.5-5 and 2001 Profile. Burlington, VT: University of Vermont, Research Center for Children, Youth, & Families; 2001."},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1542\/peds.2013-1813"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.37","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.15482\/USDA.ADC\/1178141"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.38","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-020-80585-7"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.39","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fnut.2022.823893"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.40","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.neuroimage.2009.05.043"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.41","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1002\/jcp.70145"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.42","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1093\/jn\/116.1.50"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.43","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.neures.2015.12.004"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.44","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ebiom.2022.103923"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.45","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1042\/BST20180420"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.46","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1021\/bi034731y"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.47","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.neuroimage.2017.12.056"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.48","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/cells9040812"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.49","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/197140091102400604"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.50","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.neubiorev.2010.04.010"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.51","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1038\/s41390-018-0260-0"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.52","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1002\/edm2.386"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.53","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s10072-018-3473-4"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.54","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1038\/srep37486"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.55","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1523\/ENEURO.0421-18.2019"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.56","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s40124-014-0058-4"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.57","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/15648265080292S117"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.58","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1194\/jlr.M090373"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.59","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/ijms23094635"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.60","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/biomedicines12040810"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.61","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1089\/neu.2010.1348"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.62","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s00394-018-1834-7"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.63","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fnagi.2015.00052"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.64","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/apa.14287"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.65","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fnagi.2015.00052"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.66","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-019-39199-x"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.67","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1038\/s41467-024-48734-y"},{"key":"2026070410000789000_2026.07.01.26356557v1.68","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fnhum.2013.00097"}],"container-title":[],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/syndication.highwire.org\/content\/doi\/10.64898\/2026.07.01.26356557","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,4]],"date-time":"2026-07-04T17:00:19Z","timestamp":1783184419000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"http:\/\/medrxiv.org\/lookup\/doi\/10.64898\/2026.07.01.26356557"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,2]]},"references-count":68,"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.64898\/2026.07.01.26356557","relation":{},"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,2]]},"subtype":"preprint"}}