Obesity may cause similar brain degeneration

according to Dr. Philip MorrisA postdoctoral researcher at The Neuro (Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital) at McGill University and the first author of the study, obesity has adverse effects on the brain, primarily in terms of neurodegeneration.

“It has been shown that not only obesity itself, but also related comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia can lead to neuronal loss,” said Dr. Morys. medical news today.

“Obesity is more than just a scale or a cosmetic number. It is a multi-complex, multi-system disease with wide-ranging effects,” he explained. Dr. Scott KaiserHe is a geriatrician and director of geriatric cognitive health at the Pacific Neuroscience Institute at Providence St. John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California.

“More recently, we have come to understand the direct effects of obesity on the central nervous system, including brain health,” continued Dr. Kaiser. “There are many mechanisms underlying this potential relationship. Possible inflammation (and) increased oxidative stress. All of this drives a concept I often think of in geriatrics called ‘inflammatory aging.’ and the impact is hormone regulation, glucose metabolism(When) insulin resistanceThus, a complex physiological cascade of ways in which obesity may directly affect the brain and brain function. brain cells“

Dr. Karen D. SullivanA board-certified neuropsychologist and author of I CARE FOR YOUR BRAIN. MNT Its obesity, specifically increased body weight, higher body fat percentage, and increased waist-to-hip ratio are associated with cognitive impairment and risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease in the elderly.

“What confounded the data so far were the metabolic changes often associated with obesity, such as diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia,” said Dr. Sullivan. “These metabolic changes lead to cerebrovascular changes and neurodegeneration that mimic Alzheimer’s disease patterns, all associated with increased Alzheimer’s disease-related brain pathology.”

Dr. Morys said the study previous research Obesity-associated neurodegenerative patterns were found to visually resemble those of Alzheimer’s disease.

“It has long been known that obesity is the cause. Risk factor We wanted to directly compare patterns of brain atrophy in Alzheimer’s disease, which is what we did in this new study. “

In this study, Dr. Morys and his team compared patterns of gray matter atrophy (or brain cell loss) in obese or Alzheimer’s disease patients. Using a sample of more than 1,300 people, they compared Alzheimer’s patients with healthy controls, and obese (otherwise healthy) and lean individuals.

After analysis, scientists found that both obesity and Alzheimer’s disease affect the loss of gray matter brain cells. cortical thinning — in a similar fashion.For example, researchers found thinning of both cortices right temporoparietal cortex and left prefrontal cortex It was similar in both groups.

Based on these findings, researchers believe that losing weight may slow cognitive decline and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

“At this point, our research suggests that not only obesity prevention and weight loss, but also reducing other metabolic risk factors associated with obesity, such as type 2 diabetes and hypertension, may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and improve cognition.” It suggests that it may have beneficial effects.

– Dr. Morris

After reviewing this study, Dr. Kaiser noted that although it is not an entirely new concept, it is important to understand our understanding of the important relationship between obesity and dementia risk and our understanding of modifiable risk factors. He said that it supports much of our understanding.

“Obesity is recognized as a modifiable risk factor for dementia, and this has been shown in population studies, following groups of people over time, that obese people are more likely to develop dementia. I understand,” he explained.

“Some studies have also found that people of normal weight are about one-third more likely to develop dementia,” added Dr. Kaiser. “There are also animal studies that have looked at the physiological effects of obesity on brain health. Everything is coming together to show the signs.”

On the other hand, Dr. Sullivan said it is very clear that conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia contribute to neurodegeneration due to lack of oxygenation, especially when poorly controlled over time.

“We need better public health information about the negative effects of these conditions on brain health,” she continued. We need more interventions that reduce these known metabolic risk factors to reduce the long-term risk of neurodegeneration and many subtypes of dementia.”