title: Brain structure predicts risk for obesity.
abstract: The neurobiology of obesity is poorly understood. Here we report findings of a study designed to examine the differences in brain regional gray matter volume in adults recruited as either Obese Prone or Obese Resistant based on self-identification, body mass index, and personal/family weight history. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 28 Obese Prone (14 male, 14 female) and 25 Obese Resistant (13 male, 12 female) healthy adults. Voxel-based morphometry was used to identify gray matter volume differences between groups. Gray matter volume was found to be lower in the insula, medial orbitofrontal cortex and cerebellum in Obese Prone, as compared to Obese Resistant individuals. Adjusting for body fat mass did not impact these results. Insula gray matter volume was negatively correlated with leptin concentration and measures of hunger. These findings suggest that individuals at risk for weight gain have structural differences in brain regions known to be important in energy intake regulation, and that these differences, particularly in the insula, may be related to leptin.
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Smucny
authors.forename: Marc-Andre
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Cornier
authors.forename: Lindsay C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Eichman
authors.forename: Elizabeth A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Jamie L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Bechtell
authors.forename: Jason R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Tregellas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000473:pathology; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000473:pathology; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000473:pathology; D002149:Energy Intake; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006815:Hunger; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D009929:Organ Size; D012307:Risk Factors; D012528:Satiety Response; D012927:Social Control, Informal
chemical_list: D020738:Leptin