Repository logo
 

Central obesity is selectively associated with cerebral grey matter atrophy in 15 634 subjects in the UK Biobank

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Change log

Authors

Pflanz, Chris Patrick 
Tay, Jonathan 
Farooqi, Ismaa Sadaf 

Abstract

Background Obesity is a risk factor for both cardiovascular disease and dementia, but the mechanisms underlying this association are not fully understood. We examined associations between obesity, including estimates of central obesity using different modalities, with brain grey matter (GM) volume in the UK Biobank, a large population-based cohort study. Methods To determine relationships between obesity and the brain we used brain MRI, abdominal MRI, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and bioelectric whole-body impedance. We determined whether obesity was associated with any change in brain grey matter (GM) and white matter (WM) volumes, and brain network efficiency derived from the structural connectome (wiring of the brain) as determined from diffusion tensor MRI tractography. Using Waist-Hip Ratio (WHR), abdominal MRI and DXA we determined whether any associations were primarily with central rather than peripheral obesity, and whether associations were mediated by known cardiovascular risk factors. We analysed brain MRI data from 15,634. Results We found that central obesity, was associated with decreased GM volume (anthropometric data: p = 6.7 × 10-16, DXA: p = 8.3×10-81, abdominal MRI: p = 0.0006). Regional associations were found between central obesity and with specific GM subcortical nuclei (thalamus, caudate, pallidum, nucleus accumbens). In contrast, no associations were found with WM volume or structure, or brain network efficiency. The effects of central obesity on GM volume were not mediated by C-reactive protein or blood pressure, glucose, lipids. Conclusions Central body fat distribution rather than the overall body-fat percentage is associated with grey matter changes in people with obesity. Further work is required to identify the factors that mediate the association between central obesity and GM atrophy.

Description

Keywords

Atrophy, Biological Specimen Banks, Brain, Cohort Studies, Gray Matter, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Obesity, Obesity, Abdominal, United Kingdom, White Matter

Journal Title

International Journal of Obesity

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0307-0565
1476-5497

Volume Title

46

Publisher

Springer Nature [academic journals on nature.com]
Sponsorship
European Commission Horizon 2020 (H2020) Societal Challenges (667375)
British Heart Foundation (RG/16/4/32218)
Medical Research Council (MR/L023784/2)
Medical Research Council (MR/L023784/1)
This project was funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme [No 667375 (CoSTREAM)] with additional support from a BHF/Stroke Association programme grant (RG/16/4/32218). This research was conducted using the UK Biobank resource (application 36509). This work was supported by infrastructural support from the Cambridge University Hospitals Comprehensive Biomedical Research Centre. Hugh Markus and I. Sadaf Farooqi are supported by NIHR Senior Investigator awards.