title: Cognitive function and decline in obesity.
abstract: Obesity is a significant contemporary health concern that carries wide-ranging implications for society, as well as for individual health and well-being. In particular, the neuropsychological sequelae of obesity carry wide ranging functional implications. While research in this area is growing, our knowledge of obesity-related cognitive dysfunction and brain alterations has not yet been synthesized. The present review integrates the recent literature regarding patterns of obesity-related cognitive dysfunction and brain alterations and also indicates potential mechanisms for these neuropathological changes. The review culminates in a preliminary model of obesity-related cognitive dysfunction and suggestions for future research, including the potential reversibility of these changes with weight-loss.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0348, USA. kmstanek@as.ua.edu
authors.forename: Kelly Stanek
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Sellbom
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gunstad
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D003704:Dementia / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy