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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 17, 2026

A Method for Manipulating Blood Glucose and Measuring Resulting Changes in Cognitive Accessibility of Target Stimuli

A Method for Manipulating Blood Glucose and Measuring Resulting Changes in Cognitive Accessibility of Target Stimuli

Published on: August 12, 2016

Declining Blood Glucose Levels after a Cognitively Demanding Task Predict Subsequent Memory.

R T Donohoe¹, D Benton¹

¹a Department of Psychology , University of Wales Swansea , Swansea SA2 8PP , Wales , UK.

Nutritional Neuroscience

|July 15, 2016

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Declining blood glucose levels enhance memory and reduce errors during cognitive tasks. This effect is observed only when individuals are under cognitive demand, not during rest.

Keywords:

Blood glucose Glucose Humans Memory Vigilance

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Last Updated: Mar 17, 2026

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Published on: August 12, 2016

Hippocampal Insulin Microinjection and In vivo Microdialysis During Spatial Memory Testing

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Working Memory Training for Older Participants: A Control Group Training Regimen and Initial Intellectual Functioning Assessment

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Published on: September 20, 2020

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cognitive Psychology
Human Physiology

Background:

Previous research suggests a link between falling blood glucose levels and improved cognitive function.
The precise conditions under which this association occurs remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate if declining blood glucose levels enhance memory specifically under cognitive demand.
To examine the relationship between blood glucose changes and performance on a vigilance task.

Main Methods:

Participants consumed either a placebo or a glucose drink.
Subjects then either rested or performed a vigilance task.
Memory recall for a word list was assessed.
Blood glucose levels were monitored.

Main Results:

Memory performance improved in participants who performed the vigilance task and consumed a glucose drink, correlating with more significant blood glucose drops.
Fewer errors were made on the vigilance task by individuals with more pronounced blood glucose declines.
No significant association between falling blood glucose and memory was found in the resting condition.

Conclusions:

Declining blood glucose levels can enhance memory and task performance, but only when cognitive demand is present.
Cognitive demand appears to be a critical moderator of the relationship between blood glucose and cognitive function.