Differences in the choroid plexus volume and microstructure are associated with body adiposity

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Neuroscience
• Obesity Research

Background:

• The choroid plexus (CP) produces cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and is implicated in neurological diseases.
• Obesity is a risk factor for neurodegeneration, but its impact on CP structure is poorly understood.
• Investigating CP changes in obesity is crucial for understanding neurodegenerative pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between obesity metrics (BMI, WC) and CP microstructure and volume.
• To characterize CP alterations in cognitively unimpaired individuals across a wide age range.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study of 123 cognitively unimpaired adults (22-94 years).
• Advanced MRI techniques including volumetric segmentation, relaxometry (T1, T2), and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).
• Automated FreeSurfer software for CP segmentation and analysis.

Main Results:

• Strong positive associations found between waist circumference (WC) and CP volume and all MRI metrics.
• Obese individuals (based on WC cutoff) showed differences in mean diffusivity (MD) and T1 values compared to lean individuals.
• Differences in T1 and MD were also observed between obese and overweight individuals (based on BMI cutoff).

Conclusions:

• Obesity is significantly associated with reduced microstructural integrity and altered volume of the choroid plexus.
• Obesity-induced inflammation, dietary factors, or leptin dysregulation may contribute to these CP changes.
• Findings highlight the CP as a potential target for understanding obesity's impact on brain health.