# Enhancing Children's Cognitive Function and Achievement through Carotenoid Consumption

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN · 2022 · $566,523

## Abstract

Project Abstract
Adequate diet quality has the potential to promote childhood cognitive health and have a lasting impact on
children’s ability for learning and achievement. My laboratory has identified that lutein, a plant pigment or
carotenoid found in rich quantities in dark green vegetables, is uniquely suitable for supporting childhood
cognition and achievement. Lutein is the predominant carotenoid in neural tissue, serving roles as an antioxidant
across neural membranes. Further, lutein, along with two other carotenoids (i.e., zeaxanthin and
mesozeaxanthin) accumulate in the macular as macular pigment, which is known to strongly correlate with brain
lutein. My work has linked macular pigment optical density (MPOD) – a noninvasive measure of retinal and brain
lutein – to greater childhood cognitive function. However, the cognitive implications of lutein and zeaxanthin
intake in children have not been directly investigated. This proposal aims to establish a causal relationship
between lutein intake, cognitive function, and academic performance. The central hypothesis is that lutein
consumption will benefit cognitive function and academic achievement in preadolescents. I also anticipate that
gains in cognitive outcomes will be mediated by the improvement in MPOD. These hypotheses will be tested by
conducting a randomized placebo-controlled double-blind trial to examine the effects of 9-month carotenoid
supplementation on MPOD, cognition (attention and memory), and achievement among 8-10-year-old children
(N=288, 144/group). The active supplement will comprise of 10mg lutein + 2mg zeaxanthin. This work will provide
the evidence-base for recommendations to improve dietary practices for optimal childhood cognitive function
and achievement. The proposed research is relevant to human health and the NIH mission because it will provide
novel data supporting evidence-based recommendations to improve dietary practices for optimal cognitive
function and achievement in childhood.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10488167
- **Project number:** 5R01HD097332-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN
- **Principal Investigator:** Naiman Khan
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $566,523
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-09-17 → 2026-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10488167

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10488167, Enhancing Children's Cognitive Function and Achievement through Carotenoid Consumption (5R01HD097332-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10488167. Licensed CC0.

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