The effect of sucrose overconsumption on memory, neurogenesis and gliogenesis in mice

Sugar overconsumption has associations with memory impairment. We compared the effects of two models of sucrose overconsumption in mice on recognition and spatial memory and the proliferation of neurons and supportive cells in the hippocampus, a memory related brain region. Our results indicated different effects between the continuous and restricted access models, with differential effects on memory, neurogenesis and gliogenesis. These results demonstrate the neurogenesis stages impacted by sugar overconsumption, which could be used for intervention. The results are the first to investigate changes to the proliferation of oligodendrocytes after sugar consumption, with relevance to disease states involving oligodendrocyte dysfunction