Visceral fat, a deep layer of abdominal fat surrounding organs, has been linked to increased brain amyloid and tau proteins – key markers of Alzheimer’s disease. A new study published at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) found that visceral fat accounted for 77% of the relationship between high BMI and amyloid accumulation in the brain.
The study, which included 80 cognitively normal midlife individuals, used brain positron emission tomography (PET), body MRI, metabolic assessment, and a lipid panel to investigate the association between BMI, visceral fat, and Alzheimer’s disease pathology. The researchers found that higher levels of visceral fat were related to increased amyloid in the brain.
Managing visceral fat through weight loss or metabolic treatments may reduce dementia risk, according to the study. Insulin resistance and low HDL cholesterol worsened obesity-related Alzheimer’s pathology. The findings emphasize the urgent need for targeted prevention strategies against obesity-related Alzheimer’s risk.
The study’s lead author, Mahsa Dolatshahi, said that lifestyle modifications targeted at reducing visceral fat could influence the development of Alzheimer’s disease. The researchers also found that higher insulin resistance and lower HDL were associated with high amyloid in the brain.
Source: https://neurosciencenews.com/visceral-fat-alzheimers-28152