Neuroinflammation in Obesity
Neuroinflammation in Obesity
The rate of obesity in the United States is high and is a risk factor for concurrent cognitive impairment and, in late life, dementias such as Alzheimer's disease. In order to prevent or reduce cognitive impairment, the mechanism underlying the link between obesity and cognitive impairment must be understood. The current study aims to provide preliminary data on whether brain inflammation occurs in obesity and relates to cognitive deficits using magnetic resonance neuroimaging and cognitive testing. It is hypothesized that obese individuals will have greater brain inflammation and lower cognitive function compared to normal-weight individuals. Further, it is predicted that brain inflammation will relate to cognitive function and plasma indicators of inflammation in obese individuals.
Initially, normal-weight or obese potential participants are screened by a phone interview that assesses medical history. Obtainment of informed consent and further screening occurs on the day of the study visit. Participants then undergo a 2 hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) including blood draws for metabolic and inflammatory marker levels in plasma. Lunch is then provided. Participants are then administered 30 minute computer-based cognitive testing from the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery. After cognitive testing, participants undergo 1.5 hour magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that includes structural, diffusion tensor, and functional MR imaging.
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