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Updated: Jun 2, 2026
10:30
Whole Body and Regional Quantification of Active Human Brown Adipose Tissue Using 18F-FDG PET/CT
Published on: April 1, 2019
Age-related decrease in cold-activated brown adipose tissue and accumulation of body fat in healthy humans.
Takeshi Yoneshiro1, Sayuri Aita, Mami Matsushita
1Department of Nutrition, School of Nursing and Nutrition, Tenshi College, Sapporo, Japan.
Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.)
|May 14, 2011
Summary
Decreased activity in brown adipose tissue (BAT) is linked to increased body fat accumulation with age. This study found fewer adults had active BAT as they got older, correlating with higher BMI and body fat.
Area of Science:
- Metabolism
- Human Physiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Brown adipose tissue (BAT) plays a role in energy expenditure.
- Identifying and quantifying BAT activity in humans is crucial for understanding metabolic health.
- Age-related changes in BAT may influence body composition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between brown adipose tissue (BAT) activity and adiposity in healthy adults.
- To determine if reduced BAT activity is associated with age-related body fat accumulation.
- To analyze how age and adiposity parameters correlate with BAT presence.
Main Methods:
- 162 healthy volunteers (20-73 years) underwent (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET)/CT.
- Participants were exposed to cold (19 °C) for 2 hours in light clothing to activate BAT.
- BAT presence and volume were assessed, alongside body mass index (BMI) and body fat measurements.
Main Results:
- Cold-activated BAT was detected in 41% of subjects (BAT-positive).
- The BAT-positive group was younger and had lower BMI, body fat, and abdominal fat compared to the BAT-negative group.
- BAT incidence significantly decreased with age, with less than 10% positivity in those aged 50-69.
- Adiposity parameters increased with age in the BAT-negative group but remained stable in the BAT-positive group.
Conclusions:
- Decreased brown adipose tissue (BAT) activity is associated with increased body fat accumulation in aging adults.
- Age-related decline in BAT function may contribute to the development of obesity.
- Targeting BAT may offer potential strategies for managing age-related metabolic changes.
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