Nutrition and the Function of the Central Nervous System

Neuroscience as a field has only recently expanded to consider how the nervous system might be influenced by interaction with other bodily systems. The psychology curriculum never for instance included courses on nutrition. Although we learn about the body as if it is segregated into systems (cardiovascular immune digestive etc.) these systems are not truly separate. If the aphorism you are what you eat is literally true: then you--your personality thoughts feelings etc.--are at least partly a product of your diet. Such recognitions have spawned the new subdiscipline nutritional neuroscience: the study of the role of diet on neurochemistry neurobiology cognition and behavior. This collection explores this exciting new area.