Body mass index, systemic inflammation and cognitive performance in adolescents: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Excessive body weight has been related to lower cognitive performance. One of the mechanisms through which excess body weight may affect cognition is inflammation. HYPOTHESIS: Our hypothesis is that both body mass index (BMI) and circulating levels of inflammatory biomarkers will be negatively related to cognitive performance. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Users of the public health centres of the Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa (Terrassa, Spain) between 2010 and 2017 aged 12-21 years. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and five adolescents (46 normoweight, 18 overweight, 41 obese). MEASUREMENTS: Levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein, interleukin 6, tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα) and fibrinogen were determined from blood samples. Cognitive performance was evaluated and six cognitive composites were obtained: working memory, cognitive flexibility, inhibitory control, decision-making, verbal memory, and fine motor speed. A single multivariate general lineal model was used to assess the influence of the four inflammatory biomarkers, as well as participants' BMI, sex, and age on the 6 cognitive indexes. RESULTS: An inverse relationship between BMI and inhibitory control (F = 5.688, p = .019; ß = -0.212, p = .031), verbal memory (F = 5.404, p = .022; ß = -0.255, p = .009) and fine motor speed (F = 9.038, p = .003; ß = -0.319, p = .001) was observed. Levels of TNFα and fibrinogen were inversely related to inhibitory control (F = 5.055, p = .027; ß = -0.226, p = .021) and verbal memory (F = 4.732, p = .032; ß = -0.274, p = .005), respectively. LIMITATIONS: The cross-sectional nature of the study, the use of cognitive tests designed for clinical purposes, and the use of BMI as a proxy for adiposity are limitations of our study that must be taken into account when interpreting results. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that some components of executive functions, together with verbal memory, are sensitive to specific obesity-related inflammatory agents at early ages.

Alterations in Brain Network Organization in Adults With Obesity as Compared With Healthy-Weight Individuals and Seniors.

OBJECTIVE: Life expectancy and obesity rates have drastically increased in recent years. An unhealthy weight is related to long-lasting medical disorders that might compromise the normal course of aging. The aim of the current study of brain connectivity patterns was to examine whether adults with obesity would show signs of premature aging, such as lower segregation, in large-scale networks. METHODS: Participants with obesity (n = 30, mean age = 32.8 ± 5.68 years) were compared with healthy-weight controls (n = 33, mean age = 30.9 ± 6.24 years) and senior participants who were stroke-free and without dementia (n = 30, mean age = 67.1 ± 6.65 years) using resting-state magnetic resonance imaging and graph theory metrics (i.e., small-world index, clustering coefficient, characteristic path length, and degree). RESULTS: Contrary to our hypothesis, participants with obesity exhibited a higher clustering coefficient compared with senior participants (t = 5.06, p < .001, d = 1.23, 95% CIbca = 0.64 to 1.88). Participants with obesity also showed lower global degree relative to seniors (t = -2.98, p = .014, d = -0.77, 95% CIbca = -1.26 to -0.26) and healthy-weight controls (t = -2.92, p = .019, d = -0.72, 95% CIbca = -1.19 to -0.25). Regional degree alterations in this group were present in several functional networks. CONCLUSIONS: Participants with obesity displayed greater network clustering than did seniors and also had lower degree compared with seniors and individuals with normal weight, which is not consistent with the notion that obesity is associated with premature aging of the brain. Although the cross-sectional nature of the study precludes causal inference, the overly clustered network patterns in obese participants could be relevant to age-related changes in brain function because regular networks might be less resilient and metabolically inefficient.

Effect of the catechol-O-methyltransferase Val 158 Met polymorphism on theory of mind in obesity.

Obesity is often accompanied with psychosocial adjustment problems, such as difficulties in social interactions and social withdrawal. A key aspect of social cognition is theory of mind, which allows inferring mental states, feelings, motivations, and beliefs of others and to use this information to predict their future behaviour. Theory of mind is highly dependent on prefrontal dopaminergic neurotransmission, which is regulated by catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) activity. We aimed at determining whether theory of mind is altered in obesity and if this ability is modulated by COMT. Fifty patients with obesity and 47 normal-weight individuals underwent the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test, the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, and the Vocabulary subscale of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. The genotype for the COMT Val 158 Met functional polymorphism was determined for all subjects. Patients with obesity obtained significantly lower scores in the negative items of the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test than normal-weight subjects. Further, an interaction effect was observed between group and COMT genotype. Specifically, the presence of the Met allele was associated to a better identification of negative mental states only in patients with obesity. Our results indicate that obesity is accompanied with difficulties in theory of mind and that this ability is influenced by the COMT genotype.

Functional network centrality in obesity: A resting-state and task fMRI study.

Obesity is associated with structural and functional alterations in brain areas that are often functionally distinct and anatomically distant. This suggests that obesity is associated with differences in functional connectivity of regions distributed across the brain. However, studies addressing whole brain functional connectivity in obesity remain scarce. Here, we compared voxel-wise degree centrality and eigenvector centrality between participants with obesity (n=20) and normal-weight controls (n=21). We analyzed resting state and task-related fMRI data acquired from the same individuals. Relative to normal-weight controls, participants with obesity exhibited reduced degree centrality in the right middle frontal gyrus in the resting-state condition. During the task fMRI condition, obese participants exhibited less degree centrality in the left middle frontal gyrus and the lateral occipital cortex along with reduced eigenvector centrality in the lateral occipital cortex and occipital pole. Our results highlight the central role of the middle frontal gyrus in the pathophysiology of obesity, a structure involved in several brain circuits signaling attention, executive functions and motor functions. Additionally, our analysis suggests the existence of task-dependent reduced centrality in occipital areas; regions with a role in perceptual processes and that are profoundly modulated by attention.

The interaction effect between BDNF val66met polymorphism and obesity on executive functions and frontal structure.

The prevalence of obesity is increasing worldwide. Previous research has shown a relationship between obesity and both executive functioning alterations and frontal cortex volume reductions. The Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor val66met polymorphism, involved in eating behavior, has also been associated with executive functions and prefrontal cortex volume, but to date it has not been studied in relation to obesity. Our aim is to elucidate whether the interaction between the Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor val66met polymorphism and obesity status influences executive performance and frontal-subcortical brain structure. Sixty-one volunteers, 34 obese and 27 controls, age range 12-40, participated in the study. Participants were assigned to one of two genotype groups (met allele carriers, n = 16, or non-carriers, n = 45). Neuropsychological assessment comprised the Trail Making Test, the Stroop Test and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, all tasks that require response inhibition and cognitive flexibility. Subjects underwent magnetic resonance imaging in a Siemens TIM TRIO 3T scanner and images were analyzed using the FreeSurfer software. Analyses of covariance controlling for age and intelligence showed an effect of the obesity-by-genotype interaction on perseverative responses on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test as well as on precentral and caudal middle frontal cortical thickness: obese met allele carriers showed more perseverations on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test and lower frontal thickness than obese non-carriers and controls. In conclusion, the Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor may play an important role in executive functioning and frontal brain structure in obesity.

Alterations of the salience network in obesity: a resting-state fMRI study.

Obesity is a major health problem in modern societies. It has been related to abnormal functional organization of brain networks believed to process homeostatic (internal) and/or salience (external) information. This study used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging analysis to delineate possible functional changes in brain networks related to obesity. A group of 18 healthy adult participants with obesity were compared with a group of 16 lean participants while performing a resting-state task, with the data being evaluated by independent component analysis. Participants also completed a neuropsychological assessment. Results showed that the functional connectivity strength of the putamen nucleus in the salience network was increased in the obese group. We speculate that this abnormal activation may contribute to overeating through an imbalance between autonomic processing and reward processing of food stimuli. A correlation was also observed in obesity between activation of the putamen nucleus in the salience network and mental slowness, which is consistent with the notion that basal ganglia circuits modulate rapid processing of information.

Dopamine genes (DRD2/ANKK1-TaqA1 and DRD4-7R) and executive function: their interaction with obesity.

Obesity is a multifactorial disease caused by the interaction between genotype and environment, and it is considered to be a type of addictive alteration. The A1 allele of the DRD2/ANKK1-TaqIA gene has been associated with addictive disorders, with obesity and with the performance in executive functions. The 7 repeat allele of the DRD4 gene has likewise been associated with the performance in executive functions, as well as with addictive behaviors and impulsivity. Participants were included in the obesity group (N = 42) if their body mass index (BMI) was equal to or above 30, and in the lean group (N = 42) if their BMI was below 25. The DRD2/ANKK1-TaqIA and DRD4 VNTR polymorphisms were obtained. All subjects underwent neuropsychological assessment. Eating behavior traits were evaluated. The 'DRD2/ANKK1-TaqIA A1-allele status' had a significant effect on almost all the executive variables, but no significant 'DRD4 7R-allele status' effects were observed for any of the executive variables analyzed. There was a significant 'group' x 'DRD2/ANKK1-TaqIA A1-allele status' interaction effect on LN and 'group' x 'DRD4 7R-allele status' interaction effect on TMT B-A score. Being obese and a carrier of the A1 allele of DRD2/ANKK1-TaqIA or the 7R allele of DRD4 VNTR polymorphisms could confer a weakness as regards the performance of executive functions.

Oftalmopatía en la diabetes mellitus: detección desde la Atención Primaria de salud / Ophthalmic disease in diabetes mellitus: Management from primary health care

ObjetivoConocer la viabilidad de la realización de la exploración oftalmológica básica de la patología ocular del paciente diabético desde el ámbito de la Atención Primaria de Salud (APS).DiseñoEstudio transversal observacional prospectivo y multicéntrico.Participantes y métodoMuestra de 712 diabéticos tipo II. Intervenciones: realización, por parte de un optometrista, de una exploración de la agudeza visual, medición de la presión intraocular y fotografía de fondo de ojo con cámara de retina no midriática. Interpretación de los resultados e indicación de derivación realizada, a doble ciego, por oftalmólogos y médicos APS.ResultadosAlteración agudeza visual: médico APS 43,7%, oftalmólogo 36,1%, concordancia 70%; sospecha glaucoma: médico APS 8,8%, oftalmólogo 7,6%, concordancia 94%; retinopatía diabética: médico APS 28,2%, oftalmólogo 13,4%, concordancia 78%. Derivación Servicios Oftalmología: médico APS 56,8%, oftalmólogo 41,3% (p=0,001).ConclusionesEl nivel de concordancia en los diagnósticos entre médico APS y oftalmólogo hace fiable la exploración oftalmológica del paciente diabético desde el ámbito de la APS. A pesar del supradiagnóstico y del 16% de derivación no justificada realizada por parte del médico APS, se evita la derivación a las consultas de oftalmología, de cerca de la mitad de los pacientes diabéticos(AU)

ObjectiveTo study the feasibility of a basic ophthalmological examination for the eye disease in diabetic patients by Primary Health Care (PHC).InterventionsVisual acuity examination, intraocular pressure measurement and the eye fundus photograph with a non-mydriatic camera taken by an optometrist. The interpretation and subsequent referral to an ophthalmology department by ophthalmologists and general practitioners (GP).ResultsVisual acuity deficiency: GP, 43.7%; ophthalmologist, 36.1%; concordance, 70%; glaucoma suspicion: GP, 8.8%; ophthalmologist, 7.6%; concordance, 94%; diabetic retinopathy: GP, 28.2%; ophthalmologist, 13.4%; concordance, 78%. Ophthalmology Department referral: GP, 56.8%; ophthalmologist, 41.3% (P=0.001).ConclusionsAgreement between GP and ophthalmologist leads to a reliable ophthalmological examination of the diabetic patient in PHC. Despite an over-diagnosis and 16% of non-justified referrals by the GP, Ophthalmology Department referral is avoided in almost half of the diabetic patients(AU)

[Ophthalmic disease in diabetes mellitus: management from primary health care]. / Oftalmopatía en la diabetes mellitus: detección desde la Atención Primaria de salud.

OBJECTIVE: To study the feasibility of a basic ophthalmological examination for the eye disease in diabetic patients by Primary Health Care (PHC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A multi-centre prospective study. A sample of 712 type 2 diabetics. INTERVENTIONS: Visual acuity examination, intraocular pressure measurement and the eye fundus photograph with a non-mydriatic camera taken by an optometrist. The interpretation and subsequent referral to an ophthalmology department by ophthalmologists and general practitioners (GP). RESULTS: Visual acuity deficiency: GP, 43.7%; ophthalmologist, 36.1%; concordance, 70%; glaucoma suspicion: GP, 8.8%; ophthalmologist, 7.6%; concordance, 94%; diabetic retinopathy: GP, 28.2%; ophthalmologist, 13.4%; concordance, 78%. Ophthalmology Department referral: GP, 56.8%; ophthalmologist, 41.3% (P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Agreement between GP and ophthalmologist leads to a reliable ophthalmological examination of the diabetic patient in PHC. Despite an over-diagnosis and 16% of non-justified referrals by the GP, Ophthalmology Department referral is avoided in almost half of the diabetic patients.

Factores de riesgo cardiovascular: estudio de seguimiento en población no diabética / Cardiovascular risk factors: A follow up study in a non-diabetic population

ObjetivosValorar los factores de riesgo cardiovascular (FRCV) de una población no diabética conocida, su relación con la resistencia a la insulina (RI) y la función de la célula betapancreática (FBP) y seguir su evolución durante un período de 5 años.DiseñoEstudio tipo de casos y controles anidado desarrollado en 2 fases: identificación y caracterización de la cohorte para estudio, y seguimiento.EmplazamientoCentro de atención primaria de ámbito urbano. Participantes: muestra de población no diabética de 40 a 75 años.Mediciones principalesAntecedentes de FRCV, exploración física (índice de masa corporal, perímetro abdominal, presión arterial), analítica (glucemia basal, perfil lipídico e insulinemia basal) y cálculo de RI y FBP mediante el programa matemático HOMA (Homeostasis Model Assessment).ResultadosFase de identificación: 326 personas. Entre los FRCV, el 32,5% tenía dislipidemia; el 28,8%, tabaquismo; el 28,2%, obesidad, y el 24,8%, hipertensión arterial (HTA). Con respecto al número de FRCV, el 37,7% presentaba uno, el 21,5% presentaba 2, el 10,1% presentaba 3 y el 2,1% presentaba 4. Con respecto a la relación entre el número de FRCV y la RI, era mayor la RI en hipertensos, obesos y dislipidémicos. La fase de seguimiento (5 años) se realizó en 121 personas. Se observó un aumento significativo de la proporción de dislipidemia y de la glucosa basal alterada (GBA).ConclusionesLos FRCV más prevalentes fueron la dislipidemia, el tabaquismo, la obesidad y la HTA, con una mayor RI en los pacientes con HTA, dislipidemia, obesidad y un mayor número de FRCV asociados, en comparación con el resto de la población. A los 5 años de seguimiento, solamente se observó un aumento en la proporción de dislipidemia y de GBA y no se ha conseguido disminuir el porcentaje de fumadores activos(AU)

ObjectivesTo evaluate the cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF), their relationship with insulin resistance (IR) and pancreatic beta-cell (PBC) function in a known non-diabetic population, and to follow its progress over a period of 5 years.DesignNested case-control study developed in two phases: the identification and characterisation of the cohort to study and the follow up.SettingUrban Primary Care Centre.ParticipantsA non-diabetic population sample from 40 to 70 years.Main measurementsHistory of CVRF, physical examination (body mass index, abdominal girth, blood pressure), laboratory tests (fasting glucose, lipid profile and fasting insulin) and calculation of IR and PBC using the Homeostasis Model Assessment mathematical program.ResultsIdentification phase: 326 subjects. CVRF 32.5% dyslipaemia, 28.8% smoking, 28.2% obesity and 24.8% increased blood pressure. Number of CVRF: 37.7% had one, 21.5% two, 10.1% three and 2.1% four. Relationship between number of CVRF and IR. More IR in hypertensive, obese and dyslipaemic subjects. Follow up phase (5 years): 121 subjects. Significant proportion of dyslipaemia and impaired fasting glucose (IFG).ConclusionsThe most common CVRF were dyslipaemia, smoking, obesity and raised blood pressure, with more IR in patients with high blood pressure, dyslipaemia and obesity and a higher number of CVRF in comparison with the rest of the population. At five years of follow up, an increase was only observed in the number of dyslipaemia and IFG and no reduction was achieved in the percentage of active smokers(AU)

[Cardiovascular risk factors: a follow up study in a non-diabetic population]. / Factores de riesgo cardiovascular: estudio de seguimiento en población no diabética.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF), their relationship with insulin resistance (IR) and pancreatic beta-cell (PBC) function in a known non-diabetic population, and to follow its progress over a period of 5 years. DESIGN: Nested case-control study developed in two phases: the identification and characterisation of the cohort to study and the follow up. SETTING: Urban Primary Care Centre. PARTICIPANTS: A non-diabetic population sample from 40 to 70 years. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: History of CVRF, physical examination (body mass index, abdominal girth, blood pressure), laboratory tests (fasting glucose, lipid profile and fasting insulin) and calculation of IR and PBC using the Homeostasis Model Assessment mathematical program. RESULTS: Identification phase: 326 subjects. CVRF 32.5% dyslipaemia, 28.8% smoking, 28.2% obesity and 24.8% increased blood pressure. Number of CVRF: 37.7% had one, 21.5% two, 10.1% three and 2.1% four. Relationship between number of CVRF and IR. More IR in hypertensive, obese and dyslipaemic subjects. Follow up phase (5 years): 121 subjects. Significant proportion of dyslipaemia and impaired fasting glucose (IFG). CONCLUSIONS: The most common CVRF were dyslipaemia, smoking, obesity and raised blood pressure, with more IR in patients with high blood pressure, dyslipaemia and obesity and a higher number of CVRF in comparison with the rest of the population. At five years of follow up, an increase was only observed in the number of dyslipaemia and IFG and no reduction was achieved in the percentage of active smokers.

Exploración oftalmológica básica del paciente diabético en la atención primaria / Basic eye examination in a diabetic population: disease management in a primary health care setting

Objetivo general: conocer la viabilidad de la realización de la exploración oftalmológica básica de la enfermedad ocular del paciente diabético (exploración de la agudeza visual, de la presión intraocular y del fondo de ojo) desde el ámbito de la atención primaria de la salud (APS). Objetivos concretos: a) conocer la fiabilidad del diagnóstico de la exploración oftalmológica básica del paciente diabético realizado por el médico de APS mediante la concordancia con el diagnóstico realizado por un oftalmólogo de referencia experimentado: b) conocer las repercusiones, en los diferentes servicios de oftalmología, de la exploración oftalmológica básica del paciente diabético realizada en la APS; c) estudio de costo-efectividad de la exploración oftalmológica básica del paciente diabético en el ámbito de la APS. Metodología del proyecto: estudio de cohortes prospectivo multicéntrico de 3 años de duración. Pacientes: muestra representativa de pacientes adultos (1 023), diagnosticados de diabetes mellitus tipo 2. Realización, por parte de un optometrista,, de una exploración de agudeza visual, medición de la presión intraocular y fotografía de fondo de ojo con cámara de retina no midriática. Interpretación de los resultados mediante doble lectura a ciego, por los oftalmólogos y médicos de APS del equipo investigador, con la posterior indicación de derivación a los servicios de oftalmología de referencia. Previamente los oftalmólogos del equipo investigador imparten, a los médicos de APS, un curso de formación en relación con la patología oftalmológica básica estudiada. Conclusión: la exploración oftalmológica básica de rutina en la atención primaria conllevará una clara mejora en la calidad de atención a la población diabética (AU)

Exploración oftalmológica básica del paciente diabético en la atención primaria / Basic eye examination in a diabetic population: disease management in a primary health care setting

Objetivo general: conocer la viabilidad de la realización de la exploración oftalmológica básica de la enfermedad ocular del paciente diabético (exploración de la agudeza visual, de la presión intraocular y del fondo de ojo) desde el ámbito de la atención primaria de la salud (APS). Objetivos concretos: a) conocer la fiabilidad del diagnóstico de la exploración oftalmológica básica del paciente diabético realizado por el médico de APS mediante la concordancia con el diagnóstico realizado por un oftalmólogo de referencia experimentado: b) conocer las repercusiones, en los diferentes servicios de oftalmología, de la exploración oftalmológica básica del paciente diabético realizada en la APS; c) estudio de costo-efectividad de la exploración oftalmológica básica del paciente diabético en el ámbito de la APS. Metodología del proyecto: estudio de cohortes prospectivo multicéntrico de 3 años de duración. Pacientes: muestra representativa de pacientes adultos (1 023), diagnosticados de diabetes mellitus tipo 2. Realización, por parte de un optometrista,, de una exploración de agudeza visual, medición de la presión intraocular y fotografía de fondo de ojo con cámara de retina no midriática. Interpretación de los resultados mediante doble lectura a ciego, por los oftalmólogos y médicos de APS del equipo investigador, con la posterior indicación de derivación a los servicios de oftalmología de referencia. Previamente los oftalmólogos del equipo investigador imparten, a los médicos de APS, un curso de formación en relación con la patología oftalmológica básica estudiada. Conclusión: la exploración oftalmológica básica de rutina en la atención primaria conllevará una clara mejora en la calidad de atención a la población diabética