Abstract
Adipose tissue is the largest endocrine gland in the body, yet only recently has its role in neurodegenerative disease been considered. Prospective population level evidence has emerged to show that both obesity and overweight, is associated with an increased risk of all cause dementia, Alzheimers disease (AD), and underlying neurodegenerative changes. Weight loss in late life however is associated with dementia, and those categorized as underweight are also at a greater risk of dementia. Given the current epidemic of obesity, and the expected age-related increase in dementia incidence, even a small association between these two diseases has far reaching public health implications. However, due to the effects of both AD-associated weight loss and age-related changes in body composition, there are methodological challenges in appropriately evaluating obesity as a risk factor for developing dementia. There is a need to take a ‘life course approach’ and to consider the role of risk factors prior to the onset of old age. Our work has shown that both obesity and overweight, as measured by body mass index and skinfold thickness, in middle-age are strongly associated with an increased risk of all cause dementia, Alzheimer disease & Vascular dementia, independent of the development of diabetes and cardiovascular-related morbidities. There is also value in assessing regional body shape distributions of adiposity, particular the role of abdominal obesity. Mechanistic pathways such as adipocyte secreted proteins and hormones, and inflammatory cytokines could explain the association between obesity and increased risk of dementia.
Keywords: Obesity, Alzheimer disease, body mass index, adiposity, dementia, leptin, adioponectin, abdominal obesity
Current Alzheimer Research
Title: The Epidemiology of Adiposity and Dementia
Volume: 4 Issue: 2
Author(s): Rachel A. Whitmer
Affiliation:
Keywords: Obesity, Alzheimer disease, body mass index, adiposity, dementia, leptin, adioponectin, abdominal obesity
Abstract: Adipose tissue is the largest endocrine gland in the body, yet only recently has its role in neurodegenerative disease been considered. Prospective population level evidence has emerged to show that both obesity and overweight, is associated with an increased risk of all cause dementia, Alzheimers disease (AD), and underlying neurodegenerative changes. Weight loss in late life however is associated with dementia, and those categorized as underweight are also at a greater risk of dementia. Given the current epidemic of obesity, and the expected age-related increase in dementia incidence, even a small association between these two diseases has far reaching public health implications. However, due to the effects of both AD-associated weight loss and age-related changes in body composition, there are methodological challenges in appropriately evaluating obesity as a risk factor for developing dementia. There is a need to take a ‘life course approach’ and to consider the role of risk factors prior to the onset of old age. Our work has shown that both obesity and overweight, as measured by body mass index and skinfold thickness, in middle-age are strongly associated with an increased risk of all cause dementia, Alzheimer disease & Vascular dementia, independent of the development of diabetes and cardiovascular-related morbidities. There is also value in assessing regional body shape distributions of adiposity, particular the role of abdominal obesity. Mechanistic pathways such as adipocyte secreted proteins and hormones, and inflammatory cytokines could explain the association between obesity and increased risk of dementia.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Whitmer A. Rachel, The Epidemiology of Adiposity and Dementia, Current Alzheimer Research 2007; 4 (2) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/156720507780362065
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/156720507780362065 |
Print ISSN 1567-2050 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5828 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
New Advances in the Prevention, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Rehabilitation of Alzheimer's Disease
Aims and Scope: Introduction: Alzheimer's disease (AD) poses a significant global health challenge, with an increasing prevalence that demands concerted efforts to advance our understanding and strategies for prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. This thematic issue aims to bring together cutting-edge research and innovative approaches from multidisciplinary perspectives to address ...read more
Current updates on the Role of Neuroinflammation in Neurodegenerative Disorders
Neuroinflammation is an invariable hallmark of chronic and acute neurodegenerative disorders and has long been considered a potential drug target for Alzheimer?s disease (AD) and dementia. Significant evidence of inflammatory processes as a feature of AD is provided by the presence of inflammatory markers in plasma, CSF and postmortem brain ...read more
Deep Learning for Advancing Alzheimer's Disease Research
Alzheimer's disease (AD) poses a significant global health challenge, with an increasing number of individuals affected yearly. Deep learning, a subfield of artificial intelligence, has shown immense potential in various domains, including healthcare. This thematic issue of Current Alzheimer Research explores the application of deep learning techniques in advancing our ...read more
Diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers of dementia
Dementia affects 18 million people worldwide. Dementia is a syndrome of symptoms caused by brain disease, usually chronic or progressive, clinically characterized by multiple impairments of higher cortical functions such as memory, thinking, orientation, and learning. In addition, in the course of dementia, cognitive deficits are observed, which often hinder ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Role of APP and Aβ in Synaptic Physiology
Current Alzheimer Research Mobilization and Redistribution of Default Mode Network from Resting State to Task State in Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment
Current Alzheimer Research Effects of Cholinergic Enhancing Drugs on Cholinergic Transporters in the Brain and Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes of Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats
Current Alzheimer Research Tyrosol and Hydroxytyrosol Two Main Components of Olive Oil, Protect N2a Cells Against Amyloid-β-Induced Toxicity. Involvement of the NF-κB Signaling
Current Alzheimer Research Cognitive Impairment in Depression
Current Psychiatry Reviews Pathophysiological Roles of Renin-Angiotensin System on Erythropoietic Action
Current Hypertension Reviews Does an Interdisciplinary Network Improve Dementia Care? Results from the IDemUck-Study
Current Alzheimer Research Drugs as Possible Triggers of Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy: A Comprehensive Literature Search - Update 2015
Current Clinical Pharmacology Association Study of 10 Candidate Genes with Sporadic Alzheimers Disease in a Spanish Population
Current Medicinal Chemistry - Immunology, Endocrine & Metabolic Agents SUBJECT INDEX
Current Neuropharmacology Current Evaluation of the Millennium Phytomedicine- Ginseng (II): Collected Chemical Entities, Modern Pharmacology, and Clinical Applications Emanated from Traditional Chinese Medicine
Current Medicinal Chemistry Measuring Morphological and Cellular Changes in Alzheimers Dementia: A Review Emphasizing Stereology
Current Alzheimer Research The Novel Antipsychotic Cariprazine (RGH-188): State-of-the-Art in the Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders
Current Pharmaceutical Design Harnessing Anesthesia and Brain Imaging for the Study of Human Consciousness
Current Pharmaceutical Design Patent Selections
Recent Patents on Biotechnology Vitamin D and Metabolic Syndrome: Is There a Link?
Current Pharmaceutical Design Fluoxetine Improves Behavioral Performance by Suppressing the Production of Soluble β-Amyloid in APP/PS1 Mice
Current Alzheimer Research Ferric Cycle Activity and Alzheimer Disease
Current Neurovascular Research Cortical and Putamen Age-Related Changes in the Microvessel Density and Astrocyte Deficiency in Spontaneously Hypertensive and Stroke-Prone Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats
Current Neurovascular Research Genetic Features of MAPT, GRN, C9orf72 and CHCHD10 Gene Mutations in Chinese Patients with Frontotemporal Dementia
Current Alzheimer Research