New findings link sugar intake to brain changes tied to Alzheimer’s symptoms
Scientists from Wake Forest University School of Medicine have documented a connection between higher sugar consumption and the buildup of amyloid plaques in the brain, a hallmark associated with Alzheimer’s disease symptoms. The study results were published in JCI Insight, highlighting how diet can influence brain health at the cellular level.
It is well established that people with type 2 diabetes face an elevated risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, yet the precise mechanisms remain under investigation. In this study, researchers divided experimental mice into two groups: one group consumed plain water, while the other drank a sugar-enhanced solution. The investigators observed a greater accumulation of amyloid plaques in the brains of mice given sugar water, along with increased levels of beta-amyloid, the protein core that forms these plaques.
Further analysis revealed the presence of specific sensors on nerve cell surfaces that respond to sugar intake by boosting beta-amyloid production. These sensors were identified as ATP-sensitive potassium channels, known as KATP channels. ATP serves as a cellular energy source, and its levels reflect the body’s glucose supply. When ATP levels rise excessively, the operation of KATP channels can be altered, potentially affecting brain function and neural signaling.
To test the role of these sensors, the researchers used genetic engineering to remove them from the brains of mice and repeated the experiment. In the absence of these sensors, elevated blood sugar failed to raise beta-amyloid levels or promote plaque formation. The team suggests that therapies targeting these KATP channels could offer a new avenue for addressing Alzheimer’s disease in humans, though extensive work remains before clinical applications become available. The findings underscore the importance of metabolic factors in neurodegenerative risk and open doors for exploring how dietary choices influence brain resilience over time.