Interplay of Central and Peripheral Vascular Effects of Insulin in Obesity

Interplay of Central and Peripheral Vascular Effects of Insulin in Obesity

Determine the impact of obesity with insulin resistance on the neurovascular response to brain insulin stimulation.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18 to 65 years of age

Individuals with obesity and comorbid IR

• BMI 30-45 kg/m2
• Waist circumference ≥102 cm (men) or ≥88 cm (women)
• HOMA-IR ≥2.5

Healthy normal weight adults

• BMI 18-25 kg/m2
• Waist circumference <94 cm (men) and <80 cm (women)
• HOMA-IR <2

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnancy, breastfeeding
• Unable to provide consent
• Diabetes or polycystic ovarian syndrome
• Known history of cardiovascular disease: heart failure, ischemic heart disease, peripheral artery disease, stroke
• Nerve/neurologic disease
• Uncontrolled hypertension (systolic blood pressure >180 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure >100 mmHg)
• Active cancer (excluding basal cell carcinoma or stage 1 squamous cell carcinoma of the skin)
• Current smoking, tobacco, nicotine use
• Use of pharmacological therapy for weight loss
• Body weight change >10% within the last 6 months
• Adherence to >150 min/week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity/exercise
• Participation in any other research study or medical procedure involving significant ionizing radiation exposure in the past 12 months
• Claustrophobia
• Non-MRI compatible metal implants