Sweet Relief? Short-Term Post-Traumatic High-Sucrose Intake Attenuates Acute but Not Long-Term Fear Responses in Mice.

ABSTRACT: People often turn to sweet foods for comfort during times of stress, as energy imbalance is implicated in several neuropsychiatric disorders including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Although acute sucrose consumption may improve cognitive capabilities, its long-term effectiveness has been debated. Objectives: In a widely used mouse model, we examined the effect of sucrose drinking on conditioned fear-induced freezing (as a model of PTSD), with emphasis on the concentrations and timing of the intervention as well as sex differences. We aimed to develop a low-cost, widely accessible therapeutic option. Methods: A short electric foot shock was used for trauma, and freezing was detected 24 h (mimicking acute stress disorder, ASD) or 14 days (PTSD-like symptoms) later in t

SUBMITTER: Kumar P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12467851 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature