Cited by 526Regulation of Appetite and ObesityNeural and Behavioral Psychology StudiesAdvanced Neuroimaging Techniques and Applications

Brain abnormalities in human obesity: A voxel-based morphometric study

Pannacciulli, Nicola, Del Parigi, Angelo, Chen, Kewei, Le, Duc Son N.T., Reiman, Eric M., Tataranni, Pietro A.·2006·NeuroImage

Abstract

Obesity is accompanied by damage to several tissues. Overweight is a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. Whether structural abnormalities associated with excess body fat may also occur in the brain is unknown. We sought to determine to what extent excess body fat is associated with regional alterations in brain structure using voxel-based morphometry (VBM), a whole-brain unbiased technique based upon high-definition 3D magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans normalized into a common standard space and allowing for an objective assessment of neuroanatomical differences throughout the brain. We studied 24 obese (11 male, 13 female; age: 32 +/- 8 years; body mass index [BMI]: 39.4 +/- 4.7 kg/m2) and 36 lean (25 male, 11 female; mean age: 33 +/- 9 years; BMI: 22.7 +/- 2.2 kg/m2) non-diabetic Caucasians. In comparison with the group of lean subjects, the group of obese individuals had significantly lower gray matter density in the post-central gyrus, frontal operculum, putamen, and middle frontal gyrus (P < 0.01 after adjustment for sex, age, handedness, global tissue density, and multiple comparisons). BMI was negatively associated with GM density of the left post-central gyrus in obese but not lean subjects. This study identified structural brain differences in human obesity in several brain areas previously involved in the regulation of taste, reward, and behavioral control. These alterations may either precede obesity, representing a neural marker of increased propensity to gaining weight, or occur as a consequence of obesity, indicating that also the brain is affected by increased adiposity.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2006.01.047

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  • Brain imaging studies comparing obese and lean individuals reported lower grey matter density in frontal regions (frontal operculum and middle frontal gyrus) and in post-central gyrus and putamen.

    “Brain imaging studies comparing obese and lean individuals have also reported lower grey matter density in frontal regions (frontal operculum and middle frontal gyrus) and in post-central gyrus and putamen (128).”

    From Obesity and addiction: Neurobiological overlaps (2013) · cites this paper as [128]

  • Brain imaging studies comparing obese and lean individuals have reported lower gray matter density in frontal regions, including frontal operculum and middle frontal gyrus, and in postcentral gyrus and putamen.

    “Brain imaging studies comparing obese and lean individuals have also reported lower gray matter density in frontal regions (frontal operculum and middle frontal gyrus) and in postcentral gyrus and putamen (Pannacciulli et al 2006).”

    From Food and Drug Reward: Overlapping Circuits in Human Obesity and Addiction (2011) · cites this paper as Pannacciulli et al 2006

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Authors
Pannacciulli, N., Del Parigi, A., Chen, K., Le, D. S. N. T., Reiman, E. M., & Tataranni, P. A.
Affiliations
  • National Institutes of Health (US)
  • Banner - University Medical Center Phoenix (US)
Corresponding author
Pannacciulli, Nicola
Venue
NeuroImage
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2006-07
Volume
31
Issue
4
Pages
1419-1425
ISSN
1053-8119 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2077965626
Cited by
523
References
45
Citations by year
2026: 9 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 23 · 2023: 22 · 2022: 22 · 2021: 28 · 2020: 23 · 2019: 34 · 2018: 34 · 2017: 36 · 2016: 41 · 2015: 37 · 2014: 41 · 2013: 31 · 2012: 27
FWCI
5.60
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • NeuroImage (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Regulation of Appetite and Obesity
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging › Advanced Neuroimaging Techniques and Applications
Keywords
obesity, brain structure, gray matter density, body mass index, postcentral gyrus, frontal operculum, putamen, middle frontal gyrus, adiposity
MeSH terms
Adult, Anthropometry, Blood Glucose, Brain, Brain Chemistry, Data Interpretation, Statistical, Female, Humans, Image Processing, Computer-Assisted, Insulin, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Obesity, Body Mass Index

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