Early Life Supplementation with Blends of Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMO) Improves Cognitive Functions in Models of Cognitive Flexibility and Memory

Breast-feeding provides the optimal early life nutrition associated with increased cognitive functions. Recently, human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) were proposed to be mediator of the cognitive benefit associated with breastmilk duration. To understand the role played by some of these HMOs, this study evaluated the impact of early life supplementation with three different blends of HMOs on the behaviour of overweight Göttingen Minipigs before weaning, after weaning and at 1 year of age. The HMOs blends were containing either sialylated HMOs, neutral HMOs or both. The results support a positive impact of early life dietary supplementation with different blends of HMOs on the development of cognitive functions. The mechanism of action of the HMOs is most likely mediated by alterations of microbiota composition, which is currently being analysed.