# The effects of added sugar intake on brain blood flow and hippocampal function in midlife adults

> **NIH NIH P20** · UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE · 2023 · $332,594

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Aging is the primary risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD) which is the most common form of dementia and
among the fastest growing causes of morbidity and mortality in the United States. The risk factors for AD emerge
during midlife and are similar to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. In this regard, stiffening of the
large elastic arteries (i.e., the aorta and carotid arteries) and cerebral hypoperfusion occur with aging and are
linked to age-related cognitive impairment, primarily through the transmission of damaging pressure waves to
the cerebral vasculature, resulting in cerebrovascular dysfunction and neuronal damage. The impact of midlife
vascular changes on the brain are further exacerbated by poor lifestyle habits, including the consumption of a
diet that contains high amounts of added sugar (e.g., from ultra-processed foods containing high amounts of
fructose). While the exact mechanisms are not known, a high sugar diet is associated with elevated plasma
triglycerides (TGs), which may exacerbate age-related arterial dysfunction and memory impairment through a
mechanism involving increased systemic inflammation. Our cross-sectional preliminary data suggest that
plasma TGs are strongly associated with increased arterial stiffness, reduced cerebrovascular function, lower
memory scores and decreased integrity of the hippocampus, a brain structure that is critical for encoding and
recalling memories; however, it remains unknown how these factors are influenced by the consumption of added
sugars. The purpose of this project is to establish preliminary evidence for a causal link between added sugar
intake and adverse changes to vascular and brain health in midlife adults. Our central hypothesis is that excess
added sugar intake causes reductions and hippocampal structure and function though adverse changes to
arteries via a mechanism involving increased plasma TGs and systemic inflammation. We will conduct a
randomized, single-blind, controlled-feeding study to determine the effects of consuming a diet containing low
(5% of total energy intake) vs. high (25% of total energy intake) added sugar for 10-days each on measures of
large elastic artery stiffness, cerebrovascular function and hippocampal structure and function. The expected
outcome is evidence of a causal relation between added sugar intake and reductions in vascular and brain
functions through a mechanism involving increased TG's and inflammation. The data generated from this project
will support a future NIH R01 proposal for a randomized controlled trial aimed at lowering added sugar intake in
mid-life adults.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10640265
- **Project number:** 5P20GM113125-08
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE
- **Principal Investigator:** Christopher Martens
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $332,594
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2016-05-15 → 2026-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10640265

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10640265, The effects of added sugar intake on brain blood flow and hippocampal function in midlife adults (5P20GM113125-08). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10640265. Licensed CC0.

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