Core Viewpoint - The excessive intake of added sugars has become a significant public health issue, particularly among children and adolescents, leading to potential long-term effects on obesity, metabolic disorders, and cognitive functions [2][4]. Group 1: Research Findings - A study published by a team from Beijing Normal University indicates that excessive sucrose consumption during early life alters cortical dynamics and adaptive behavior in adulthood [2][5]. - The research utilized wide-field calcium imaging to monitor the activity of the dorsal cortex in adult mice that had consumed high-sugar beverages since weaning, comparing them to a control group [4]. - Findings revealed that mice consuming high-sugar beverages exhibited changes in cortical dynamics and behavioral flexibility, despite no abnormalities in weight gain or glucose tolerance [4][7]. Group 2: Specific Observations - Mice exposed to sucrose during early life showed reduced cortical responses to sucrose in adulthood [7]. - These mice displayed delayed and prolonged learning-related cortical activity during early learning stages [7]. - There was a noted decrease in functional connectivity between the anterior and posterior cortices in mice that consumed sucrose early in life, along with heightened sensitivity to cue-reward association changes [7].