Brain Structural Differences between Normal and Obese Adults and their Links with Lack of Perseverance, Negative Urgency, and Sensation Seeking

Haifeng Wang,Jingliang Cheng,Baohong Wen,Hongpeng Li

doi:10.1038/srep40595

Abstract

In order to examine the difference in brain structure between obese and normal weight individuals, and to explore the relationship between the neuroanatomical changes and impulsivity traits, this study used a voxel-based morphometry method to examine gray matter (GM) volume alterations related to impulsive personality traits in obese individuals relative to normal weight. Eighty adults that completed the UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale were analyzed. Possible GM volume alterations were first analyzed at the whole brain level, and then the relationship between regional GM volume differences and UPPS-P scores were examined in selected regions of interest. Reduced GM volumes were found in the frontal and limbic regions in the obese group compared to normal weight individuals. In the normal weight group, lack of perseverance was negatively correlated with GM volume in the anterior cingulate cortex, and negative urgency was negatively correlated with GM volume in the insula. In the obese group, sensation seeking was negatively correlated with GM volume in the left amygdala and right pallidum. These findings might improve our understanding of the relationship between lack of perseverance, negative urgency, and sensation seeking and body weight fluctuations.

Highlights

Obesity is a major health hazard of modern society and promotes co-morbid diseases[1,2]
Yokum et al found that body mass index (BMI) are correlated with volume changes in brain regions involved in reward processing and somatosensory processing[22], whereas reduced regional gray matter (GM) volumes in the prefrontal cortex are correlated with higher rates of BMI increase[22]
Maayan et al reported that obese individuals are characterized by increased disinhibition and reduced cognitive control, and that both traits are correlated with reduced GM volumes in the OFC23

Summary

Introduction

Obesity is a major health hazard of modern society and promotes co-morbid diseases[1,2]. Ralph et al observed an enlarged amygdala in obese subjects, which implicated the importance of the hedonic effect in the regulation of feeding[24] These findings suggest that volumetric brain measures are useful to characterize the neurobiological underpinnings of obesity and that brain structural volumes are associated with certain disease-specific features (e.g., BMI). In the context of the current study, there is a knowledge gap in the link between brain structural alterations and impulsive traits in the presentation of adult obesity. The objectives of this investigation are to examine the differences in brain structures between obese and normal weight individuals, and to explore the relationship between neuroanatomical changes and impulsivity traits. We hypothesize that lack of perseverance, negative urgency and sensation seeking has different links with these neuroanatomical alterations in normal weight and obese groups

Methods

Results

Conclusion