White adipose tissue distribution and amount are associated with increased white matter connectivity.

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_4A3E51C5E1C9
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
White adipose tissue distribution and amount are associated with increased white matter connectivity.
Journal
Human brain mapping
Author(s)
Okudzhava L., Schulz S., Fischi-Gomez E., Girard G., Machann J., Koch P.J., Thiran J.P., Münte T.F., Heldmann M.
ISSN
1097-0193 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
1065-9471
Publication state
Published
Issued date
04/2024
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
45
Number
5
Pages
e26654
Language
english
Notes
Publication types: Journal Article
Publication Status: ppublish
Abstract
Obesity represents a significant public health concern and is linked to various comorbidities and cognitive impairments. Previous research indicates that elevated body mass index (BMI) is associated with structural changes in white matter (WM). However, a deeper characterization of body composition is required, especially considering the links between abdominal obesity and metabolic dysfunction. This study aims to enhance our understanding of the relationship between obesity and WM connectivity by directly assessing the amount and distribution of fat tissue. Whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was employed to evaluate total adipose tissue (TAT), visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), while MR liver spectroscopy measured liver fat content in 63 normal-weight, overweight, and obese males. WM connectivity was quantified using microstructure-informed tractography. Connectome-based predictive modeling was used to predict body composition metrics based on WM connectomes. Our analysis revealed a positive dependency between BMI, TAT, SAT, and WM connectivity in brain regions involved in reward processing and appetite regulation, such as the insula, nucleus accumbens, and orbitofrontal cortex. Increased connectivity was also observed in cognitive control and inhibition networks, including the middle frontal gyrus and anterior cingulate cortex. No significant associations were found between WM connectivity and VAT or liver fat. Our findings suggest that altered neural communication between these brain regions may affect cognitive processes, emotional regulation, and reward perception in individuals with obesity, potentially contributing to weight gain. While our study did not identify a link between WM connectivity and VAT or liver fat, further investigation of the role of various fat depots and metabolic factors in brain networks is required to advance obesity prevention and treatment approaches.
Keywords
Male, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, White Matter/pathology, Tissue Distribution, Whole Body Imaging, Obesity/diagnostic imaging, Obesity/complications, Adipose Tissue/diagnostic imaging, Adipose Tissue/metabolism, Adipose Tissue/pathology, adipose tissue, connectome‐based predictive modeling, obesity, structural connectivity
Pubmed
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
25/03/2024 15:41
Last modification date
06/04/2024 7:23
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