Sugar Rush in Septic Shock Leads to Mouse Memory Loss

The loss of memory and cognitive function known to afflict survivors of septic shock is the result of a sugar that is released into the blood stream and enters the brain during the life-threatening condition. This finding, published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, explains the premature mental aging that follows septic shock and may shed light on memory loss in other diseases. “This sugar is getting into the hippocampus, and it shouldn’t be in there,” said Robert Linhardt, professor of biocatalysis and metabolic engineering and member of the Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and lead author of the study. “We actually think this is rewiring memory in the hippocampus, and it’s causing memory loss. Neural circuits are being disrupted or broken or connected in the wrong way.” https://www.technologynetworks.com/neuroscience/news/sugar-shock-leads-to-memory-loss-318472?utm_campaign=NEWSLETTER_TN_Breaking%20Science%20News&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=71985485&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_Y9KdcLKvRegmJVFncsgokTOTcv4F0YeJH3A5MzYWhlMYB_JmS1yXFPY3bbpf63Ota3MIvuVPbn4CnTjv5ZYQpwAdkOA&_hsmi=71985485