Too much sugar during adolescence may alter brain's reward circuits

A new study in rats may provide significant insights into the long-term impacts of over-consumption of sugary foods during adolescence.

The study shows that the enjoyment of such foods later in adulthood is reduced in those who over-consumed early in life. Investigators found that this decrease in reward relates to reduced activity in one of the key hubs of the brain's reward circuitry, called the . Such long-lasting alterations could have important implications for reward-related disorders such as substance abuse or eating disorders.

"In spite of the dramatic increase in the consumption of sweet palatable foods during adolescence in our modern societies, the long-term?consequences of such exposure on processing remain poorly understood," said Dr. Martine Cador, senior author of the European Journal of Neuroscience study.

More information: Fabien Naneix et al. Long-lasting deficits in hedonic and nucleus accumbens reactivity to sweet rewards by sugar overconsumption during adolescence, European Journal of Neuroscience (2015). DOI: 10.1111/ejn.13149

Journal information: European Journal of Neuroscience
Provided by Wiley
Citation: Too much sugar during adolescence may alter brain's reward circuits (2016, January 19) retrieved 19 March 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2016-01-sugar-adolescence-brain-reward-circuits.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

Study pinpoints part of brain that triggers addiction

10 shares

Feedback to editors