Compromised white matter integrity in obesity.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Radiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Obesity is linked to central nervous system structural and functional changes.
• Gray matter shows consistent reductions with increasing body mass index (BMI).
• White matter volumetric changes in obesity are complex and less conclusive.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the relationship between obesity and brain alterations using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).
• To investigate microstructural white matter changes associated with obesity.

Main Methods:

• Utilized diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to assess white matter integrity.
• Analyzed parameters of diffusivity and anisotropy, focusing on fractional anisotropy (FA).
• Reviewed studies examining the association between BMI and brain structure.

Main Results:

• Obesity-related factors are associated with a loss of white matter integrity.
• Reduced white matter integrity observed in limbic system tracts and frontotemporal connections.
• Inverse association found between BMI and FA in corpus callosum, fornix, cingulum, and corona radiata across age groups.
• Significant BMI and age interactions suggest accelerated white matter aging in obese individuals.

Conclusions:

• DTI is a sensitive tool for detecting obesity-related white matter microstructural changes.
• Obesity is associated with widespread white matter integrity loss, particularly in specific brain tracts.
• Obesity may accelerate the aging process of brain white matter structure.