Link Between Body Fat and Alzheimer's Disease Discovered Decades Before Symptoms Appear

**In an enlightening study presented at the RSNA annual meeting, researchers have traced a link between visceral fat and the hallmark proteins of Alzheimer's disease up to 20 years before symptoms surface.** The study, led by Mahsa Dolatshahi, M.D., M.P.H., at the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, involved 80 midlife individuals with a high prevalence of obesity. **Participants underwent brain PET scans and MRI to measure fat distribution and metabolic health, revealing that visceral fat—hidden fat surrounding the organs—has a significant association with amyloid and tau proteins in the brain, crucial indicators of Alzheimer's pathology.** This connection accounts for 77% of the effects of high BMI on amyloid accumulation, while other fat types did not show similar impacts. Additionally, the study uncovered that insulin resistance and low HDL cholesterol levels were associated with increased amyloid presence. The findings emphasize the importance of lifestyle modifications targeting visceral fat reduction to manage Alzheimer's risk, especially considering that nearly three-quarters of Americans are overweight or obese. The research suggests treatment options, including lifestyle changes and weight-loss medication, could improve cerebral blood flow and potentially reduce Alzheimer's burden.