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Higher visceral fat is associated with lower cerebral N-acetyl-aspartate ratios in middle-aged adults

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Abstract

Excessive adipose tissue, particularly with a central distribution, consists of visceral fat, which is metabolically active and could impinge upon central nervous system functioning. The aim of the current study was to examine levels of visceral adiposity in relation to key cerebral metabolite ratios localized in the occipitoparietal grey matter. Seventy-three adults, aged between 40 and 60 years, underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging and single voxel 1H Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (1H MRS). Visceral fat was assessed using Dual Energy X Ray Absorptiometry (DXA). Individuals with higher visceral fat mass and volume had significantly lower ratios of N-acetyl-aspartate to total creatine (phosphocreatine + creatine, PCr + Cr) (NAA/PCr + Cr) (β = −0.29, p = 0.03, β = −0.28, p = 0.04). They also had significantly higher ratios of myo-inositol to total creatine (mI/PCr + Cr ) (β = 0.36, p = 0.01, β = 0.36, p = 0.01). Visceral fat mass and volume were not significantly related to ratios of glutamate to total creatine (Glu/PCr + Cr). While future studies are necessary, these results indicate central adiposity is associated with metabolic changes that could impinge upon the central nervous system in middle age.

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Acknowledgements

This work was made possible by funding provided by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (R01 NS075565, APH).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, 108 East Dean Keeton, Stop A8000, Austin, TX, 78712, USA

    Sonya Kaur, Alex C. Birdsill, Kayla Steward & Andreana P. Haley

  2. Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA

    Evan Pasha & Hirofumi Tanaka

  3. International Clinical Research Center, St Anne’s University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic

    Peter Kruzliak

  4. Imaging Research Center, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA

    Andreana P. Haley

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  1. Sonya Kaur
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  2. Alex C. Birdsill
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Correspondence to Andreana P. Haley.

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Kaur, S., Birdsill, A.C., Steward, K. et al. Higher visceral fat is associated with lower cerebral N-acetyl-aspartate ratios in middle-aged adults. Metab Brain Dis 32, 727–733 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11011-017-9961-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11011-017-9961-z

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