title: Higher visceral fat is associated with lower cerebral N-acetyl-aspartate ratios in middle-aged adults.
abstract: Excessive adipose tissue, particularly with a central distribution, consists of visceral fat, which is metabolically active and could impinge upon central nervous system functioning. The aim of the current study was to examine levels of visceral adiposity in relation to key cerebral metabolite ratios localized in the occipitoparietal grey matter. Seventy-three adults, aged between 40 and 60 years, underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging and single voxel1H Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (1H MRS). Visceral fat was assessed using Dual Energy X Ray Absorptiometry (DXA). Individuals with higher visceral fat mass and volume had significantly lower ratios of N-acetyl-aspartate to total creatine (phosphocreatine + creatine, PCr + Cr) (NAA/PCr + Cr) (β = -0.29, p = 0.03, β = -0.28, p = 0.04). They also had significantly higher ratios of myo-inositol to total creatine (mI/PCr + Cr ) (β = 0.36, p = 0.01, β = 0.36, p = 0.01). Visceral fat mass and volume were not significantly related to ratios of glutamate to total creatine (Glu/PCr + Cr). While future studies are necessary, these results indicate central adiposity is associated with metabolic changes that could impinge upon the central nervous system in middle age.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, 108 East Dean Keeton, Stop A8000, Austin, TX, 78712, USA.
authors.forename: Sonya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kaur
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, 108 East Dean Keeton, Stop A8000, Austin, TX, 78712, USA.
authors.forename: Alex C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Birdsill
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, 108 East Dean Keeton, Stop A8000, Austin, TX, 78712, USA.
authors.forename: Kayla
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Steward
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Evan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pasha
authors.affiliation: International Clinical Research Center, St Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kruzliak
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Hirofumi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, 108 East Dean Keeton, Stop A8000, Austin, TX, 78712, USA. haley@austin.utexas.edu.|Imaging Research Center, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA. haley@austin.utexas.edu.
authors.forename: Andreana P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Haley
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon / Q000379:methods; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001224:Aspartic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D050152:Intra-Abdominal Fat / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009778:Occipital Lobe / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*; D010296:Parietal Lobe / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D001224:Aspartic Acid; C000179:N-acetylaspartate
keywords: 1H-MRS; Neurochemistry; Obesity; Visceral fat