Cognition and Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Brain Inflammation in Obesity

Summary

The rate of obesity in the United States is high and is a risk factor for concurrent cognitive impairment and, in late life, dementias such as Alzheimer's disease. In order to prevent or reduce cognitive impairment, the mechanism underlying the link between obesity and cognitive impairment must be understood. The current study aims to provide preliminary data on whether brain inflammation occurs in obesity and relates to cognitive deficits using magnetic resonance neuroimaging and cognitive testing. It is hypothesized that obese individuals will have greater brain inflammation and lower cognitive function compared to normal-weight individuals. Further, it is predicted that brain inflammation will relate to cognitive function and plasma indicators of inflammation in obese individuals.

Conditions

• Obesity

Interventions

PROCEDURE

Oral glucose tolerance test

After 8 hours fasting overnight, an intravenous catheter is placed in the arm or hand for blood draws. Participants drink 75 grams of an oral glucose drink after baseline blood samples are drawn. More blood draws occur at 10, 20, 30, 60 and 120 min post-glucose drink.

BEHAVIORAL

Cognitive testing

For approximately 40 minutes, participants are assessed for cognitive function using computer-based tests available from the NIH Toolbox Cognitive Battery (Weintraub et al., 2013), including attention and executive functioning, episodic memory, working memory, language, processing speed, and immediate recall.

PROCEDURE

Magnetic resonance imaging

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans will be performed in a 3 Tesla MRI scanner over 1.5 hours. Participants will be asked to lay down flat on their backs and to try to stay still throughout the MRI scan. The participant will wear MRI-safe headphones to block out noise due to the MRI scans. Participant comfort will be verbally checked on throughout the scan and the participant will be provided with a 'squeeze ball' to signal the MRI technician that they want to get out of the scanner immediately.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

  collaborator NIH

• Washington University School of Medicine

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Tamara Hershey, PhD · Washington University School of Medicine

Study Design

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Purpose

OTHER

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

75 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2019-03-19

Primary Completion

2020-10-30

Completion

2020-10-30

Countries

• United States

Study Locations