New Study Links Body Fat Distribution to Brain Health Risks

Research published in the journal Radiology reveals that the distribution of body fat, rather than just overall fat levels, significantly impacts brain health. A team of researchers from The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University in Xuzhou, China identified two new fat distribution patterns that correlate with adverse brain and cognitive outcomes.

The study’s findings indicate that individuals with a “pancreatic predominant” fat distribution exhibit heightened risks for cognitive decline and neurological diseases. This specific type is characterized by a high concentration of fat in the pancreas compared to other areas of the body. A second pattern termed “skinny fat” demonstrates a high fat burden but does not conform to typical obesity profiles.

Research co-author Kai Liu, M.D., Ph.D., an associate professor in the Department of Radiology, emphasized that the study utilized MRI technology to quantify fat in various body compartments. “Our work leveraged MRI’s ability to quantify fat in various body compartments, especially internal organs, to create a classification system that’s data-driven instead of subjective,” Dr. Liu stated. This approach led to the unexpected discovery of two previously undefined fat distribution types.

The research drew on data from 25,997 individuals in the UK Biobank, which includes anonymized medical imaging and extensive health information. This allowed researchers to compare brain health outcomes with patterns of body fat distribution.

Of the identified body fat profiles, the “pancreatic predominant” and “skinny fat” types were most closely linked to significant gray matter atrophy, accelerated brain aging, cognitive decline, and an increased risk of neurological disease. These risks were observed in both men and women, though variations between the sexes were noted.

In individuals with the pancreatic predominant distribution, MRI revealed a proton density fat fraction of approximately 30% in the pancreas, which is two to three times higher than other fat distribution categories. This level can be as much as six times higher than that of lean individuals. Interestingly, these individuals do not display significantly elevated liver fat levels compared to other profiles. Dr. Liu remarked, “In our daily radiology practice, we often diagnose ‘fatty liver.’ But from the perspectives of brain structure, cognitive impairment, and neurological disease risk, increased pancreatic fat should be recognized as a potentially higher-risk imaging phenotype than fatty liver.”

The “skinny fat” profile, on the other hand, is characterized by a high fat burden in nearly all areas except the liver and pancreas. Unlike traditional obesity profiles, those fitting this category have a lower average body mass index (BMI), ranking only fourth among all categories. Dr. Liu noted that the increase is likely in fat proportion rather than overall weight. “If one feature best summarizes this profile, I think it would be an elevated weight-to-muscle ratio, especially in male individuals.”

While this study primarily focused on neurological and cognitive risks associated with different fat distribution patterns, Dr. Liu acknowledged the need for further research to explore potential cardiovascular and metabolic health risks related to these patterns.

Understanding the implications of fat distribution can assist healthcare providers in delivering more personalized treatment plans, ultimately promoting better brain health. As Dr. Liu concluded, “Brain health is not just a matter of how much fat you have, but also where it goes.”