Teenagers' junk food diet may cause memory problems

Teenagers who regularly consume junk food high in fat and sugar may face long-term consequences beyond weight gain. A new study by the University of Southern California (USC) suggests a link between a junk food diet during adolescence and lasting memory impairment.

Researchers fed one group of rats a diet rich in fat and sugar while another group received a healthy diet. Both groups were then subjected to memory tests and monitored for levels of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter crucial for memory and learning.

Findings suggest that a junk-food diet during adolescence can have lasting adverse effects on memory; Scott Kanoski, a professor of biological sciences at USC and lead researcher, explained his study on this subject. 

The study highlights a critical period in brain development: adolescence when the brain undergoes significant growth and refinement. An unhealthy diet during this time may disrupt this process, leading to memory problems that persist into adulthood.

Researchers point to a connection with Alzheimer's disease, a condition marked by memory decline. People with Alzheimer's often have lower levels of acetylcholine. The USC study found similar reductions in acetylcholine levels among rats fed the junk-food diet.

The study offered a glimmer of hope. When researchers administered medications mimicking acetylcholine directly to the rats' hippocampus, the brain's memory centre and memory function improved. This suggests potential avenues for future treatment, although more research is needed.