Researchers analyzed MRI scans and health records from nearly 26,000 UK Biobank patients to identify body fat distribution patterns and their associations with brain health. Using latent profile analysis, they classified patients into six fat distribution profiles based on eight BMI-adjusted MRI-derived fat measurements from multiple depots including the liver, pancreas, visceral region, and muscles. The study found that two profiles—pancreatic-predominant (characterized by elevated pancreatic fat) and skinny-fat (high adiposity across multiple depots despite moderate BMI)—were associated with the most adverse neurologic outcomes, including gray matter atrophy, elevated white matter hyperintensity volume, cognitive decline across multiple domains, and increased risk of mood disorders and stroke. Male patients with the skinny-fat profile showed particularly pronounced effects, including accelerated brain aging, while female patients with the pancreatic-predominant profile demonstrated lower global cognitive scores and elevated epilepsy risk. The findings suggest that fat distribution patterns may be important independent risk factors for neurologic health beyond traditional BMI measurements.

Source: Radiology