White matter integrity differences in obesity: A meta-analysis of diffusion tensor imaging studies.

Justine Daoust, Joelle Schaffer, Yashar Zeighami, Alain Dagher, Isabel García-García, Andréanne Michaud

Journal: Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews 2021;129():133-141

PMID: 34284063

Full Text on Elsevier Science View on PubMed

Abstract

Some Diffusion Tensor Imaging studies have shown a loss of white matter (WM) integrity linked to impaired cognitive function in obese individuals. However, inconsistent WM integrity changes have been reported. We aimed to identify which WM tracts show consistent changes with obesity. We conducted a systematic search to find studies examining the association between obesity-related measures and Fractional Anisotropy (FA) or Mean Diffusivity. We performed a meta-analysis with FA datasets using Anisotropic Effect Size-Signed Differential Mapping software. The meta-analysis showed that increased obesity measurements were related to reduced FA in the genu of the corpus callosum. We validated our findings using an independent sample from the Human Connectome Project dataset, which supports lower FA in this region in individuals with obesity compared to those with normal weight (p = 0.028). Our findings provide evidence that obesity is associated with reduced WM integrity in the genu of the corpus callosum, a tract linking frontal areas involved in executive function. Future studies are needed on the mechanisms linking obesity with loss of WM integrity.

Address: Research Center of the Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec, Université Laval, 2725 chemin Sainte-Foy, Québec, Québec, G1V 4G5, Canada; School of Nutrition, Université Laval, 2325 rue de l'Université, Québec, Québec, G1V 0A6, Canada.; Montreal Neurological Institute, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, Québec, H3A 2B4, Canada.; Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, University of Barcelona, Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 585, 08007, Barcelona, Spain.; Research Center of the Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec, Université Laval, 2725 chemin Sainte-Foy, Québec, Québec, G1V 4G5, Canada; School of Nutrition, Université Laval, 2325 rue de l'Université, Québec, Québec, G1V 0A6, Canada. Electronic address: [email protected].

DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.07.020

Link outs

Subscription / membership required

Full Text Sources:

MeSH Terms: Anisotropy, Brain, Corpus Callosum, Diffusion Tensor Imaging, Humans, Obesity, White Matter