Cross-sectional and longitudinal association of body mass index and brain volume
Key result
Higher baseline BMI was associated with lower cross-sectional gray matter volume and a greater longitudinal decline in temporal and occipital gray matter volumes over 5 years.
Why the study?
Is higher body mass index associated with reduced brain volume and progressive brain atrophy over time?
Population
347 former lead workers and community controls
Design
Cohort
Follow-up
~5 years
Authors
Discussion
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Member takes
Implication
May link higher BMI to regional atrophy; extends cross-sectional data but leaves open causality and intervention effects.
Study Design
Type
Cohort (n=347)
Structured PICO
Is higher body mass index associated with reduced brain volume and progressive brain atrophy over time?
P
Population
347 middle-aged men, comprising former lead workers and community controls, followed for approximately 5 years with repeated MRI scans to assess brain volume changes.
E
Exposure
Body mass index (BMI) and change in BMI over time
O
Outcome
Cross-sectional and longitudinal changes in brain volume (gray matter and white matter) measured by magnetic resonance imaging using region of interest (ROI) and voxel-based morphometric (VBM) methodssurrogate
Sustained high body mass index may contribute to progressive temporal and occipital brain atrophy.
Limitations
- Observational design precludes causal interpretation
- Voxel-based analyses have lower power
- Potential unmeasured confounding such as physical activity and cardiovascular health
Cite This Study
Bobb et al. (2012) conducted a cohort in Brain atrophy (n=347). Body Mass Index (BMI) vs. Lower BMI was evaluated on Brain volume (gray and white matter) measured via MRI. Higher baseline BMI was associated with lower cross-sectional gray matter volume and a greater longitudinal decline in temporal and occipital gray matter volumes over 5 years.