The interaction effect between BDNF val66met polymorphism and obesity on executive functions and frontal structure

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Genetics
• Psychology

Background:

• Rising global obesity rates are linked to executive function deficits and reduced frontal cortex volume.
• The Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) val66met polymorphism influences eating behavior, executive functions, and prefrontal cortex volume.
• The interplay between BDNF val66met polymorphism, obesity, and brain structure remains understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how the interaction between BDNF val66met polymorphism and obesity affects executive performance.
• To determine the influence of this interaction on frontal-subcortical brain structure.

Main Methods:

• Sixty-one participants (34 obese, 27 controls), aged 12-40, were genotyped for the BDNF val66met polymorphism.
• Neuropsychological tests (Trail Making, Stroop, Wisconsin Card Sorting) assessed executive functions like response inhibition and cognitive flexibility.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) analyzed frontal-subcortical brain structure using FreeSurfer software.

Main Results:

• An obesity-by-genotype interaction affected performance on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test and frontal cortical thickness.
• Obese met allele carriers exhibited increased perseverative errors and reduced precentral and caudal middle frontal cortical thickness compared to non-carriers and controls.
• These findings were significant after controlling for age and intelligence.

Conclusions:

• The Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) val66met polymorphism plays a significant role in executive functioning within the context of obesity.
• BDNF genotype interacts with obesity status to influence frontal brain structure, specifically cortical thickness.
• This research highlights a potential genetic contribution to neurobiological alterations associated with obesity.