Relationships between abdominal adipose tissue and neuroinflammation with diffusion basis spectrum imaging in midlife obesity

Abstract

Objective

This study investigated how obesity, BMI ≥ 30 kg/m², abdominal adiposity, and systemic inflammation relate to neuroinflammation using diffusion basis spectrum imaging.

Methods

We analyzed data from 98 cognitively normal midlife participants (mean age: 49.4 [SD 6.2] years; 34 males [34.7%]; 56 with obesity [57.1%]). Participants underwent brain and abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), blood tests, and amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. Abdominal visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue (VAT and SAT, respectively) was segmented, and Centiloids were calculated. Diffusion basis spectrum imaging parameter maps were created using an in-house script, and tract-based spatial statistics assessed white matter differences in high versus low BMI values, VAT, SAT, insulin resistance, systemic inflammation, and Centiloids, with age and sex as covariates.

Results

Obesity, high VAT, and high SAT were linked to lower axial diffusivity, reduced fiber fraction, and increased restricted fraction in white matter. Obesity was additionally associated with higher hindered fraction and lower fractional anisotropy. Also, individuals with high C-reactive protein showed lower axial diffusivity. Higher restricted fraction correlated with continuous BMI and SAT particularly in male individuals, whereas VAT effects were similar in male and female individuals.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that, at midlife, obesity and abdominal fat are associated with reduced brain axonal density and increased inflammation, with visceral fat playing a significant role in both sexes.