Triglycerides can interfere with insulin signaling in the brain, which plays a major role in brain cell survival and plasticity, or the ability of the brain to change, based on new experiences.

Results were similar in adolescent rats, but it is unclear whether the effects of high fructose consumption are permanent, she said.

Parent's lab works with Timothy Bartness, biology professor and John Mielke of the University of Waterloo in Canada to examine how diet influences brain function.

'The bottom line is that we were meant to have an apple a day as our source of fructose,' Parent said. 'And now, we have fructose in almost everything.' Moderation is key, as well as exercise, she said.

High intake of fructose is associated with numerous health problems, including insulin insensitivity, type II diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease, said a GSU release.

These results will be presented at the 2009 Society for Neuroscience meeting in Chicago this autumn.