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Brain structure and obesity.

TitleBrain structure and obesity.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2010
AuthorsRaji, CA, Ho, AJ, Parikshak, NN, Becker, JT, Lopez, OL, Kuller, LH, Hua, X, Leow, AD, Toga, AW, Thompson, PM
JournalHum Brain Mapp
Volume31
Issue3
Pagination353-64
Date Published2010 Mar
ISSN1097-0193
KeywordsAge Factors, Aged, Analysis of Variance, Body Mass Index, Brain, Continental Population Groups, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2, Fasting, Female, Humans, Insulin, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Nerve Fibers, Myelinated, Nerve Fibers, Unmyelinated, Obesity, Organ Size, Regression Analysis, Sex Factors
Abstract<p>Obesity is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular health problems including diabetes, hypertension, and stroke. These cardiovascular afflictions increase risk for cognitive decline and dementia, but it is unknown whether these factors, specifically obesity and Type II diabetes, are associated with specific patterns of brain atrophy. We used tensor-based morphometry (TBM) to examine gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) volume differences in 94 elderly subjects who remained cognitively normal for at least 5 years after their scan. Bivariate analyses with corrections for multiple comparisons strongly linked body mass index (BMI), fasting plasma insulin (FPI) levels, and Type II Diabetes Mellitus (DM2) with atrophy in frontal, temporal, and subcortical brain regions. A multiple regression model, also correcting for multiple comparisons, revealed that BMI was still negatively correlated with brain atrophy (FDR <5%), while DM2 and FPI were no longer associated with any volume differences. In an Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) model controlling for age, gender, and race, obese subjects with a high BMI (BMI > 30) showed atrophy in the frontal lobes, anterior cingulate gyrus, hippocampus, and thalamus compared with individuals with a normal BMI (18.5-25). Overweight subjects (BMI: 25-30) had atrophy in the basal ganglia and corona radiata of the WM. Overall brain volume did not differ between overweight and obese persons. Higher BMI was associated with lower brain volumes in overweight and obese elderly subjects. Obesity is therefore associated with detectable brain volume deficits in cognitively normal elderly subjects.</p>
DOI10.1002/hbm.20870
Alternate JournalHum Brain Mapp
PubMed ID19662657
PubMed Central IDPMC2826530
Grant ListR21 EB001561 / EB / NIBIB NIH HHS / United States
R01 AG020098-07 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
R01 AG020098-01 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
AG15928 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
AG016570 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
R01 AG015928 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
R21 EB001561-03 / EB / NIBIB NIH HHS / United States
R56 AG020098-06A1 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
R01 AG020098-02 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
R21 RR019771 / RR / NCRR NIH HHS / United States
R56 AG020098 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
EB01651 / EB / NIBIB NIH HHS / United States
R01 AG020098-03 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
RR019771 / RR / NCRR NIH HHS / United States
P50 AG016570 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
R01 AG020098-04 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
AG05133 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
R01 AG020098-06A2 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
AG 20098 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
P50 AG005133 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
P50 AG005133-26 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
R01 AG020098 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
P50 AG016570-100004 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
R01 AG020098-05 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States