A DIRECT link between visceral fat and the presence of brain abnormalities associated with Alzheimer’s disease, up to 20 years before symptoms appear, has been identified in a new study. This research, presented at the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) annual meeting, underscored the potential of midlife lifestyle changes in preventing the disease.
Using advanced imaging, researchers from Washington University’s Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology assessed 80 cognitively healthy adults with an average age of 49.4 years. Participants underwent PET scans, MRIs, and metabolic evaluations to analyze fat distribution, insulin resistance, and cholesterol levels. Results revealed that visceral fat significantly correlated with higher levels of amyloid plaques and tau tangles, which are key proteins linked to Alzheimer’s.
“Visceral fat explained 77% of the effect of obesity on amyloid accumulation,” said Mahsa Dolatshahi, the study’s lead author. Other fat types, including subcutaneous fat, showed no such association.
The findings emphasized the role of metabolic factors such as insulin resistance and HDL cholesterol in Alzheimer’s pathology.
With nearly 75% of Americans classified as overweight or obese, this research highlights the critical need for early interventions. Weight loss and other lifestyle modifications targeting visceral fat could reduce Alzheimer’s risk, offering hope for millions potentially affected by this progressive disease.
Reference: Hidden Fat Predicts Alzheimer’s 20 Years Ahead of Symptoms [Press release]. December 2, 2024. RSNA. December 1-4, 2024.
