E.J. Johnson at Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. reports in Nutrition Review that lutein and zeaxanthin are important not only for eye vision but also for cognitive function.

Lutein and its isomer zeaxanthin are selectively picked up into the eye and lutein is the predominant carotenoid in the human brain, particularly in pediatric brains. In pediatric brains, the lutein content is twice as that found in adult brains indicating that children may need more lutein than adults.

Also higher serum lutein concentrations have been associated with improved cognitive function in adults and lutein supplementation improves cognition.

The author says that lutein and zeaxanthin may have a variety of biological effects in the brain tissue including antioxidation, anti-inflammation, and structural functions and protect against eye disease as they absorb damaging blue light entering the eye.  (David Liu, PHD)

Johnson EJ.  Role of lutein and zeaxanthin in visual and cognitive function throughout the lifespan.  Nutr Rev. 2014 Aug 8.