Deciphering the causal influence of BMI and related metabolic, inflammatory, and cardiovascular factors on brain structure: a Mendelian Randomization Study - PubMed
2 days ago
- #Mendelian Randomization
- #Obesity
- #Brain Structure
- Obesity is a prevalent metabolic risk factor associated with metabolic, cardiovascular, and inflammatory abnormalities.
- Obesity affects brain physiology and increases the risk of neuropsychiatric disorders like major depression and dementia.
- Previous research shows overlapping brain structural alterations in obesity and neuropsychiatric disorders, particularly lower cortical thickness in the frontal and temporal cortex.
- The study uses Mendelian randomization (MR) to clarify the causal relationship between BMI and brain structure.
- Findings suggest a causal influence of elevated BMI on lower cortical thickness, especially in the precentral and fusiform gyrus.
- Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and the inflammatory marker CRP also show nominal associations with lower cortical thickness.
- Blood pressure and metabolic serum markers show very few associations with cortical thickness.
- Future research should explore how BMI-related brain structural decline increases the risk for neuropsychiatric disorders.