Brain White Matter Expansion in Human Obesity and the Recovering Effect of Dieting
Abstract
Context and Objective: Obesity is associated with several metabolic abnormalities. Recent studies suggest that obesity also affects brain function and is a risk factor for some degenerative brain diseases. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of weight gain and weight loss on brain gray and white matter structure. We hypothesized that possible differences seen in the brains of obese subjects would disappear or diminish after an intensive dieting period. Methods: In part I of the study, we scanned with magnetic resonance imaging 16 lean (mean body mass index, 22 kg/m2) and 30 obese (mean body mass index, 33 kg/m2) healthy subjects. In part II, 16 obese subjects continued with a very low-calorie diet for 6 wk, after which they were scanned again. Regional brain white and gray matter volumes were calculated using voxel-based morphometry. Results: White matter volumes were greater in obese subjects, compared with lean subjects in several basal brain regions, and obese individuals showed a positive correlation between white matter volume in basal brain structures and waist to hip ratio. The detected white matter expansion was partially reversed by dieting. Regional gray matter volumes did not differ significantly in obese and lean subjects, and dieting did not affect gray matter. Conclusions: The precise mechanism for the discovered white matter changes remains unclear, but the present study demonstrates that obesity and dieting are associated with opposite changes in brain structure. It is not excluded that white matter expansion in obesity has a role in the neuropathogenesis of degenerative brain diseases.
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The positive correlation between white matter volume and waist-to-hip ratio was partially reversed by dieting.
“Another study found no differences in grey matter volumes between obese and lean subjects; however, it did record a positive correlation between white matter volume in basal brain structures and waist to hip ratios, a trend that was partially reversed by dieting (129).”
From Obesity and addiction: Neurobiological overlaps (2013) · cites this paper as [129]
Another study found no differences in grey matter volumes between obese and lean subjects.
“Another study found no differences in grey matter volumes between obese and lean subjects; however, it did record a positive correlation between white matter volume in basal brain structures and waist to hip ratios, a trend that was partially reversed by dieting (129).”
From Obesity and addiction: Neurobiological overlaps (2013) · cites this paper as [129]
That study recorded a positive correlation between white matter volume in basal brain structures and waist-to-hip ratios.
“Another study found no differences in grey matter volumes between obese and lean subjects; however, it did record a positive correlation between white matter volume in basal brain structures and waist to hip ratios, a trend that was partially reversed by dieting (129).”
From Obesity and addiction: Neurobiological overlaps (2013) · cites this paper as [129]
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- Authors
- Haltia, L. T., Viljanen, A., Parkkola, R., Kemppainen, N., Rinne, J. O., Nuutila, P., & Kaasinen, V.
- Affiliations
- University of Turku (FI)
- Turku PET Centre (FI)
- Corresponding author
- Kaasinen, Valtteri
- Venue
- The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
- Publisher
- The Endocrine Society
- Published
- 2007-08-01
- Volume
- 92
- Issue
- 8
- Pages
- 3278-3284
- ISSN
- 0021-972X (ISSN-L)
- 1945-7197
- OpenAlex
- W2063430441
- Cited by
- 139
- References
- 27
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 15 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 5
- FWCI
- 5.99
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Rijksuniversiteit Groningen
- Academy of Finland
- Turun Yliopisto
- Turun Yliopistosäätiö
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging › Advanced Neuroimaging Techniques and Applications
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Regulation of Appetite and Obesity
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Adipokines, Inflammation, and Metabolic Diseases
- Keywords
- obesity, gray matter volume, dieting, weight loss, very low calorie diet, waist-to-hip ratio, brain structure, degenerative brain disease, weight gain
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Blood Glucose, Brain, Data Interpretation, Statistical, Diet, Reducing, Female, Humans, Image Processing, Computer-Assisted, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Obesity, Weight Loss, Body Mass Index, Waist-Hip Ratio, Adiposity
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