Higher body mass index is associated with reduced posterior default mode connectivity in older adults

Description: Obesity is a complex neurobehavioral disorder that has been linked to changes in brain structure and function. However, the impact of obesity on functional connectivity and cognition in aging humans is largely unknown. Therefore, the association of body mass index (BMI), resting‐state network connectivity, and cognitive performance in 712 healthy, well‐characterized older adults of the Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases (LIFE) cohort (60–80 years old, mean BMI 27.6 kg/m2 ± 4.2 SD, main sample: n = 521, replication sample: n = 191) was determined. Statistical analyses included a multivariate model selection approach followed by univariate analyses to adjust for possible confounders. Results showed that a higher BMI was significantly associated with lower default mode functional connectivity in the posterior cingulate cortex and precuneus. The effect remained stable after controlling for age, sex, head motion, registration quality, cardiovascular, and genetic factors as well as in replication analyses.

Related article: http://doi.org/10.1002/hbm.23605