The assessment of cognitive performance in children: considerations for detecting nutritional influences

Abstract

The accurate assessment of cognitive performance in children is critical for detecting the effects of micronutrient deficiency or supplementation on the developing brain and its functions. Relatively little attention has been paid to the selection of culturally appropriate measures that are sensitive enough to detect the subtle cognitive changes that could be expected following nutritional intervention. Normal brain development and the emergence of cognitive abilities throughout infancy and childhood is discussed in this paper, followed by a description of the more pertinent and sensitive neuropsychological tests that can be used to assess cognitive performance and investigate the effects of micronutrient deficiency and supplementation on cognitive development among children in a variety of cultures.