Effects of glucose on memory processes in young adults

Recent studies suggest that glucose enhances memory in rodents and humans. The present experiment investigated the effects of glucose on memory performance and blood glucose changes in young adults (19-25 years). Subjects ingested (300 ml beverage) three doses of glucose (0, 30, 100 g) in a random, double-blind, triple crossover design. Thirty minutes post-glucose, subjects were shown nouns on a computer monitor and then administered recall and recognition memory tests. Blood samples were drawn at regular intervals. There was no effect of glucose on memory performance, and plasma glucose measures did not correlate with memory test scores. Statistical power was adequate to detect a medium effect. The results contradict the hypothesis that glucose enhances memory performance in young, healthy normal adults.