Iron deficiency without anemia affects memory and brain function.

What is it about?

We find support for the idea that brain activity mediates the relationship between cognitive demands and energy expenditure, with ferritin and hemoglobin moderating those relationships in distinct ways. Finally, we show that levels of energy expenditure can be indirectly estimated by measures of EEG spectral power.

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Photo by Alvaro Reyes on Unsplash

Photo by Alvaro Reyes on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Typical medical practice is to be concerned about iron deficiency only after it translates to anemia. Here we show, in otherwise-healthy women, that iron deficiency negatively affects memory and brain function.