Too much body fat can have lasting effects on the brainNot to mention other organs. New research shows that the risk of poor brain health may be related to where body fat is stored.

Researchers from China’s Xuzhou Medical University MRI Scans of 25,997 people with an average age of 55 from the UK Health Database.

It uses a statistical method called . Latent profile analysis (LPA), the research team divided participants into six groups based on patterns of body fat distribution and compared results from brain scans and cognitive tests.

Compared to the leanest people, all five groups with different body fat distributions had lower brain volume and less gray matter, even among those with less body fat than the average person.

“In our study, we took advantage of MRI’s ability to quantify fat in different compartments of the body, particularly visceral fat, to create a classification system that is data-driven rather than subjective.” say Radiologist Kai Liu;Xuzhou Medical University Hospital.

“Data-driven classification unexpectedly discovered that two previously undefined fat distribution types deserve more attention.”

Researchers named these distribution types “pancreatic-dominant” (higher-than-normal fat levels around the pancreas) and “skinny fat” (dense areas of fat around certain organs, despite considerable fat). average BMI).

Both of these profiles were associated with the highest risk. gray matter loss, white matter lesionsaccelerated brain agingdecline in cognitive function. They also showed an increased risk of neurological diseases (Broad categories including conditions such as anxiety, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and stroke), however, there were some differences between men and women.

The association with accelerated brain aging was most evident in men, but it was more likely to be seen in men. epilepsy risk (caused by disruptions in the brain’s electrical activity) was associated with a predominantly female pancreatic profile.

The study also confirms that higher BMI is often associated with more pronounced declines in brain function, but this study adds to the growing body of evidence that BMI matters. quite a rough measure Obesity could benefit from additional context.

“The negative effects of increased BMI on brain structure have been well documented in previous studies.” write The researchers state in their published paper:

“Our LPA-derived fat distribution profile confirms this relationship and further reveals that fat distribution pattern may serve as an independent neurodegeneration risk factor.”

It is important to note that the associations observed in this study are based on a single snapshot. Fat distribution and brain health have not been measured over time, so direct effects cannot be hypothesized. causal relationship The relationship here.

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There were also some limitations to the study participants, who skewed towards middle age and were all from the UK. Future studies of these associations may examine larger and more diverse groups of people.

Despite these caveats, this study adds further interesting knowledge, including: fat and brain health. The more scientists understand about this relationship, the better treatments and interventions may become possible.

For example, if the profiles identified in this study are validated in subsequent studies, people could be given advance warning that they are at higher risk of infection. Decline in cognitive function – Gives you the opportunity to make lifestyle and medication changes sooner.

“Brain health is determined not just by how much fat you have, but where it goes.” say Mr. Liu.

This study Radiology.