Boron brain functions

Penland, J.G. 1994. Dietary boron, brain function, and cognitive performance. Environ. Health Perspec. 102(Suppl. 7) 65-72. 

The role of boron in human health is not well understood. There is growing evidence that very small amounts of boron may be required to maintain healthy bones, especially in women. Studies suggest that a lack of boron may lead to arthritis and other disorders of the skeleton. Boron may also be necessary for healthy brain functions, such as memory and hand-eye coordination. 

Both brain function and composition are affected by dietary boron (Nielsen 1996, Pen-land 1998). Assessments of both animal models and humans found that boron deprivation results in decreased brain electrical activity similar to that observed in nonspecific malnutrition. Boron deprivation also resulted in poorer performance in tasks of motor speed and dexterity, attention, and short-term memory in humans. Increased copper and calcium concentrations in total brain and increased phosphorus in the cerebellum have been found in boron-deprived rats. Boron reportedly can restore the a-hel-ical conformation of (l-amyloid peptide (1 -40) disrupted by aluminum (Ramakrishna etal. 1997). 

Penland, J.G. 1998. The importance of boron nutrition for brain and psychological function. Biol. Trace Elem. Res. 66 299-317. 

It was long thought that boron was not required by human beings, but more recent studies suggest that we may need 30 pg / day.d Tire possible functions are uncertain. Animals deprived of boron show effects on bone, kidney, and brain as well as a relationship to the metabolism of calcium, copper, and nitrogen. Nielson proposed a signaling function, perhaps via phosphoinositides, in animals.b... 

Boron is an essential trace element for plants and is beneficial for animals and humans. Dietary boron obviously plays a role in immune functions. Among the best-known natural boron-containing compounds are polyketide antibiotics such as boromycin, aplasmomycins, borophycin and tatrolons. Attempts are underway to incorporate boron into different biologically active molecules, particularly for medicinal application, e.g. for boron neutron capture therapy of brain tumors. Some boron-containing biomolecules may apparently act as signaling molecules that interact with cell surfaces. 

Boron is similar to the omega-3 fatty acids in that they affect - generally in a beneficial fashion - blood, brain, eye, immune system, and skeletal function, though a specific biochemical function has not been clearly defined. Boron and omega-3 fatty acids most likely interact at the cell membrane level to affect a variety of life processes (Nielsen 2002a). 

No requirement for boron in mammals is proven, although evidence is accumulating suggesting that boron may be an essential nutrient. Boron is related to normal energy utilization, immune function, and metabolism of bone, minerals, and lipids. Boron deficiency (<0.04 mg B/kg ration of dams) impairs early embryonic development in rodents these effects were not observed at 2.0 mg B/kg ration. Boron deprivation in animals and humans results in decreased brain electrical activity similar to that observed in nonspecific malnutrition, and reduced cognitive and psychomotor function. Learning performance (manual dexterity, eye-hand coordination, memory, attention, perception) in humans was... 

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