Elevated level of visceral fat accumulation correlates with hippocampus volume and insulin resistance in non-dementia patients with type 2 diabetes
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Obesity has been shown to be associated with cognitive dysfunction, which may be partly accounted for by alterations in the hippocampus. The aim of the study was to test the hypothesis that an elevated level of visceral fat accumulation (VFA) correlated with hippocampus volume and whole-body insulin resistance in 48 Japanese non-dementia patients with type 2 diabetes. Participants were divided in two groups: the high VFA group and the normal VFA group. Hippocampus volume was quantified with computer-assisted analysis using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) voxel-based specific regional analysis system developed for the study of Alzheimer’s disease, yielding a Z-score as the assessment endpoint. In the high VFA group as compared to the normal VFA group, the Z-score was significantly higher as were fasting plasma glucose, insulin concentrations, and the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index of insulin resistance. Multiple regression analysis revealed that VFA levels were independently predicted by Z-score and HOMA index. In conclusion, in Japanese non-dementia patients with type 2 diabetes, elevated VFA levels were associated with increased hippocampus volume and insulin resistance, Z-score and HOMA index being independent predictors of VFA.
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