Randomized trial explores metabolic dysfunction's influence on brain health and cognition in bipolar disorder patients, indicating significant associations.
Key Points
This research aims to examine how metabolic health contributes to brain structure and cognitive impairments in individuals with bipolar disorder.
Recruited 163 participants (76 with bipolar disorder, 87 controls)
Utilized principal component analysis to assess metabolic and cognitive health measures
Employ machine learning to predict BrainAGE from T1-weighted MRI scans.
Higher metabolic syndrome scores correlated with increased BrainAGE (p=0.037), explaining 30% of the variability in associations with BD
Brain/cognitive impairments were linked more closely to obesity within metabolic syndrome
Effects remained significant independent of medication or symptom severity.