Increased amygdalar and hippocampal volumes in elderly obese individuals with or at risk of cardiovascular disease

Widya, R. L. et al. (2011) Increased amygdalar and hippocampal volumes in elderly obese individuals with or at risk of cardiovascular disease. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 93(6), pp. 1190-1195. (doi: 10.3945/ajcn.110.006304)

Abstract

<p>Background: The basal ganglia, hippocampus, and thalamus are involved in the regulation of human feeding behavior. Recent studies have shown that obesity [body mass index (BMI; in kg/m2) > 30] is associated with loss of gray and white matter.</p> <p>Objective: It is unknown whether the subcortical brain structures that are actually involved in feeding behavior also show volume changes in obesity. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the volumes of the basal ganglia, hippocampus, and thalamus in obesity.</p> <p>Design: Three-dimensional T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging scans of the brain were analyzed by using automatic segmentation to measure volumes of the nucleus accumbens, globus pallidus, amygdala, putamen, caudate nucleus, thalamus, and hippocampus in 471 subjects (mean age: 74.4 y; 56% men).</p> <p>Results: Obese subjects had larger left (P = 0.013) and right (P = 0.003) amygdalar volumes and a larger left hippocampal volume (P = 0.040) than did normal-weight subjects (BMI < 25). None of the other subcortical structures differed in size between these groups. After correction for age, sex, smoking, hypertension, and pravastatin use, BMI was associated with left (β = 0.175, P = 0.001) and right (β = 0.157, P = 0.001) amygdalar volumes and with left hippocampal volume (β = 0.121, P = 0.016).</p> <p>Conclusions: This study showed that the amygdala and hippocampus are enlarged in obesity. In consideration of the function of these structures, this finding may indicate that hedonic memories could be of major importance in the regulation of feeding. Because of the cross-sectional design, cause and effect could not be discriminated in this study.</p>

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: Group Author(s): PROSPER Study Group - James Shepherd, Stuart Cobbe, Ian Ford, Allan Gaw, Peter Macfarlane, Chris Packard, David Stott
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Macfarlane, Professor Peter and Shepherd, Prof James and Gaw, Dr Allan and Stott J, Professor David and Ford, Professor Ian and Packard, Professor Chris and Cobbe, Professor Stuart
• Authors: Widya, R. L., de Roos, A., Trompet, S., de Craen, A. J., Westendorp, R. G., Smit, J. W., van Buchem, M. A., van der Grond, J., Shepherd, J., Cobbe, S., Ford, I., Gaw, A., Macfarlane, P.W., Packard, C.J., and Stott, D.J.
• Subjects: R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Robertson Centre; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
• Journal Name: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
• ISSN: 0002-9165