Sweetness exposure modulates brain networks in children responding to sucrose solutions: a functional MRI study

Childhood obesity is a pervasive health issue, with sugar consumption implicated not only in its development but also in adverse effects on brain health. While extensive research has explored adult brain processes in response to sweet taste, there is limited understanding of how children's brains activate in similar, contexts.

In this study, 34 children aged 8-12 undent food frequency and sweetness liking assessments before participating in a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scan during a gustatory paradigm involving varying sweetness levels. Utilizing independent component analysis (ICA), we examined functional networks engaged during sweet taste perception and after swallowing.

Our study identified distinct brain networks for tasting, swallowing, and a transitional stage linking the two. Children with lower BMI and higher sugar intake showed greater activation in the transition network, suggesting enhanced interoceptive sensitivity.

This novel investigation provides a foundational understanding of how sweetness exposure modulates brain networks in children responding to sucrose solutions, offering valuable insights into the interplay between sugar consumption, childhood obesity, and neural responses.