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09:33
Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Analysis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Published on: July 28, 2013
Abnormal Cholesterol is Associated with Prefrontal White Matter Abnormalities among Obese Adults: a Diffusion Tensor
J I Cohen1, F Cazettes, A Convit
1Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine; New York, NY, USA - antonio.convit@med.nyu.edu.
The Neuroradiology Journal
|September 25, 2013
Summary
Abnormal cholesterol profiles are linked to reduced white matter integrity in the brain, particularly in overweight/obese adults. This suggests cholesterol may impact brain health in obesity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Metabolic Health
- Radiology
Background:
- The brain has the highest cholesterol concentration globally.
- While endogenous cholesterol synthesis is primary, exogenous cholesterol may infiltrate the brain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between abnormal cholesterol profiles and white matter integrity in lean versus overweight/obese adults.
- To assess if cholesterol impacts brain structure using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).
Main Methods:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) were used.
- Participants (22 lean, 39 overweight/obese) provided food diaries and blood lipid assessments.
- Voxelwise correlational analyses controlled for age, diabetes, and white matter hyperintensities.
Main Results:
- Significant negative associations were found between abnormal cholesterol profiles and fractional anisotropy (FA) in the prefrontal lobes for all participants.
- Lean individuals showed no significant associations.
- Overweight/obese individuals exhibited expanded associations in the frontal lobes.
Conclusions:
- Abnormal cholesterol profiles are associated with reduced white matter microstructural integrity, especially in the frontal lobes.
- These findings suggest a potential mechanism linking cholesterol dysregulation to brain changes observed in obesity.
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