Common Obesity Gene Also Causes Brain Atrophy
-The recently identified variant of the FTO gene (fat mass and obesity-associated gene) which is carried by greater than 30% of the U.S. population is also associated with brain atrophy. This is according to a recent study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Aca
demy of Sciences.
Researchers report that this gene not only predisposes people to weight gain, it also causes premature aging of the brain.
In order to learn more about the implications of this very common gene, study authors analyzed brain imaging scans of more than 200, otherwise healthy individuals, age 55 to 90 years. Researchers found that there was consistently less tissue in the brains of people who carry the variant of the FTO gene compared to non-carriers of the gene.
Researchers commented that reduced brain volume (atrophy) is associated with the development of Alzheimer’s disease. This happens because the brain atrophy leads to a reduced amount of brain reserve a person has to compensate for cerebral damage from vascular disease (strokes) and from the deposition of the specific proteins in the brain that cause Alzheimer’s disease.
The study authors noted that the atrophy of the brain tissue in the affected people was not attributed to differences in cholesterol levels, nor from hypertension.
This is a very common gene variant and it is affecting a large portion of our population. This is an observational study and it does not offer answers. Hopefully future researchers will find ways to silence the the effects of this gene.
Cristopher Geiler, MD
Proc Natl Acad Scie USA 2010
Posted on April 26, 2010
Medicues Health Talk
Recent Topics
- Emma Ruiz on Exercises to relieve back pain
- Rachel Moron on Cholesterol
- realcolloidalsilver on colloidal silver benefits
- realcolloidalsilver on silverwater
- realcolloidalsilver on colloidal silver
