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Selenium and Cognition: Mechanism and Evidence

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Handbook of Famine, Starvation, and Nutrient Deprivation

Abstract

Selenium (Se) is important for cognition by way of its contribution to the reduction of oxidative stress. Reactive species (RS) are generated during the normal course of metabolism in the body. Evidence shows that RS are known to regulate cellular functions. They also participate in the immune system and biosynthesis of macromolecules. On the other hand, accumulated RS are highly toxic to the body and they are major concern in the pathogenesis of chronic diseases including cancers, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative diseases. Every aerobic cell is vulnerable to attack by RS consequently, resulting in oxidative stress. However, the brain is particularly susceptible to oxidative stress due to its composition and physiology. Oxidative stress to the brain is associated with cognitive deficits, mood disorders, and behavioral problems. Evidence from animal and human studies suggest the importance of selenium for cognitive performance, mood, and behavior through protection against oxidative damage to substrates including low-density lipoproteins (LDL), hydroperoxide, hydrogen peroxide, peroxynitrite, and tert-butyl hydroxyperoxide (t-BHP). The dose response relationship between Se and cognitive performance is nonlinear suggesting both deficiency and excess intake results in adverse neurobehavioral outcomes. In addition, through its role in thyroid metabolism, limited evidence suggests the importance of selenium in improving cognitive performance of persons with hypothyroidism.

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Abbreviations

AD:

Alzheimer’s disease

ATP:

Adenosine triphosphate

CSF:

Cerebrospinal fluid

CuZn-SOD:

Copper, zinc-superoxide dismutase

DNA:

Deoxyribonucleic acid

GHS:

Glutathione

GPx:

Glutathione peroxidase

IL-6:

Interleukin-6

LDL:

Low density lipoprotein

MCI:

Mild cognitive impairment

NBNA:

Behavioral neurological assessment

PKU:

Phenylketonuria

RNA:

Ribonucleic acid

ROS:

Reactive oxygen species

RS:

Reactive species

rT3:

Reverse triiodothyronine

SeMet:

Selenomethionine

SePP:

Selenoprotein P

SOD:

Superoxide dismutase

T4:

Thyroxin

T3:

Tri-iodothyronine

T2:

Di-iodothyronine

TBARS:

Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances

t-BHP:

Tert-butyl hydroxyperoxide

TrxR:

Thioredoxin reductase

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Food Science and Nutrition, Addis Ababa University, P. O. Box, 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

    Dawd Gashu

  2. Department of Nutritional Sciences, Oklahoma State University, 301 Human Sciences, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA

    Barbara J. Stoecker

Authors
  1. Dawd Gashu
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  2. Barbara J. Stoecker
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Dawd Gashu .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Diabetes & Nutritional Sci Div Sch, King's College London, London, United Kingdom

    Victor Preedy

  2. Clinical Biochemistry, University of Westminster, Westminster, United Kingdom

    Vinood B. Patel

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Gashu, D., Stoecker, B.J. (2017). Selenium and Cognition: Mechanism and Evidence. In: Preedy, V., Patel, V. (eds) Handbook of Famine, Starvation, and Nutrient Deprivation. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-40007-5_21-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-40007-5_21-2

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Chapter history

  1. Latest

    Selenium and Cognition: Mechanism and Evidence
    Published:
    07 September 2017

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-40007-5_21-2

  2. Original

    Selenium and Cognition: Mechanism and Evidence
    Published:
    21 June 2017

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-40007-5_21-1

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