Obesity-Driven Segment-Specific Cerebrovascular Remodeling: A 3D High-Resolution Vessel Wall Imaging Study.

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Vascular Biology
• Public Health

Background:

• Obesity is a growing global health concern.
• Body Mass Index (BMI) is a key indicator of body fatness.
• Cerebrovascular structure can be affected by metabolic factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare cerebrovascular luminal diameter (LD) and maximum wall thickness (MWT) across normal weight, overweight, and obese individuals.
• To evaluate the impact of BMI on cerebrovascular structure using 3D HRMR-VWI.
• To identify segment-specific changes in cerebral arteries related to BMI.

Main Methods:

• Ninety-six subjects were classified into normal weight, overweight, and obese groups.
• 3D HRMR-VWI was employed to assess cerebrovascular structure.
• Internal carotid artery (ICA) and middle cerebral artery (MCA) segments were analyzed for LD, MWT, and vessel wall status.

Main Results:

• Overweight individuals showed significantly larger LD in the right C3 segment compared to normal weight individuals.
• Obese individuals exhibited reduced LD in the right C3 segment.
• MWT significantly increased with higher BMI, with pronounced thickening in specific ICA segments (C1, C2, C6) in the obese group.
• Each BMI increase elevated the risk of vessel wall deterioration by 98%.

Conclusions:

• 3D HRMR-VWI reveals segment-specific cerebrovascular remodeling in obese individuals.
• A dose-effect relationship exists between elevated BMI and vessel wall deterioration.
• Findings support optimizing 3D HRMR-VWI screening and establishing BMI-stratified intervention thresholds.