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Sugar Fuels Brain Cell Death Via Lactate
19 Apr
Summary
- Excess sugar modifies a protein, boosting brain lactate.
- High brain lactate kills cells, impairing memory and cognition.
- A new peptide successfully preserved cognition in diabetic mice.
New research reveals a direct link between high blood sugar and cognitive decline. The study found that excess sugar causes a critical protein modification within the hippocampus, the brain's memory hub. This alteration activates a gene responsible for boosting lactate production.
Elevated lactate levels in the brain are detrimental, leading to the death of brain cells and subsequent cognitive impairment. A significant study validated this, identifying high blood lactate as a risk factor for memory loss in diabetic patients.
Promisingly, scientists have developed a peptide-based treatment. In experiments with diabetic mice, this peptide effectively lowered lactate levels, thereby preserving cognitive function and offering potential therapeutic avenues.
