Cognition

This chapter collects the articles that have been published between the July 1, 2015 and June 30, 2016 in the area of the relationships between nutrition and cognition. Although few new findings may be detectable in such a narrow time frame, there are nevertheless some data from follow-up studies and new hypothetical links between nutrition or nutrition-related issues (e.g., the topic of intestinal flora). The latter might still lack solid results based on sound study designs and supported by adequate statistical power, but the hypothetical background could give support to consistent observational data and then a supportive set of experimental randomized studies. In accordance with recent methodological recommendations, while in the near future we may expect less studies to arise from these new hypotheses, we may get more harmonized and homogenous methods and subjects, so as not to waste data and/or make a combined analysis difficult to be performed and interpreted (we refer in particular to the myriad of papers on the connection between long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids [LCPUFA] and neurodevelopmental performance published in the 1990s and 2000s). The example of the studies from Australia-starting with large and consistent numbers, allowing also for a strong follow-up-should be enlarged to other nutrients beyond LCPUFA and to international networks of research beyond a single state. For the 2017 Yearbook, 4 areas of interest for the connection with the neurocognitive performance have been considered: (1) LCPUFA in pregnancy and lactation, (2) micronutrients and pregnancy, (3) the world of microbiomes, and (4) a brief paragraph on miscellanea. Overall commentaries are included for each of the 4 sections following the summaries of papers and respective commentaries within each category.