Altered Brain Diagnostic Techniques in Obesity and Related Metabolic Complications Publisher



Safabakhsh M¹ ; Alipoor E² ; Hosseinzadehattar MJ^{1, 3, 4}
Source: Obesity Medicine Published:2019

Abstract

The prevalence of obesity has been increased in both developed and developing countries during the last decades. Low grade inflammation, insulin and leptin resistance, and endothelial dysfunction are some of obesity-associated metabolic abnormalities, which have proposed to affect the structure and function of brain. The brain alternations in obesity have been recognized using diagnostic methods like EEG, PET and MRI in few studies. Low grade inflammation and increase in pro-inflammatory factors could impact the size and activity of some brain regions. Neurological studies have also proposed that insulin resistance can alter the results of these techniques due to changes of insulin entry to brain. Endothelial dysfunction in blood-brain barrier can result in increased microvascular permeability and impaired microcirculatory blood flow to CNS, which influences the brain activity and structure in obesity. The effect of obesity and related complications such as low grade inflammation, insulin and leptin resistance and endothelial dysfunction on brain structure and function have been reflected by brain diagnostic tests including EEG, structural and functional MRI, and PET. More neurological studies are needed to recognize the relationship between obesity, body fat distribution, and also weight loss with brain structure and function assessed by available techniques. This field of study could also reveal other mechanisms involved in obesity pathogenesis, and potential treatment opportunities. © 2019 Elsevier Ltd