Clinical and biochemical factors associated with amygdalar metabolic activity

We investigated clinical factors and biochemical markers associated with amygdalar metabolic activity evaluated by [¹⁸F]-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) in 346 subjects without a history of malignant neoplasms. Univariate regression analysis revealed significant relationships between amygdalar metabolic activity and fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycated hemoglobin, coronary artery disease (CAD) history, aspirin use, oral hypoglycemic agents (OHAs) use, and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA). In multiple stepwise regression analysis, FPG and CAD history were independently associated with amygdalar metabolic activity. Moreover, in 36 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), additional OHAs treatment significantly improved glycemic and metabolic parameters, and decreased ADMA concentrations. Baseline and Δpigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), a marker of insulin resistance, was a significant associate with Δamygdalar metabolic activity. Our study demonstrates that FPG and CAD history were independently associated with amygdalar metabolic activity in subjects without a history of malignant neoplasms. In T2DM patients, PEDF might regulate amygdala metabolic activity.