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Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Mediates the Relationship between Abdominal Adiposity and Executive Function in Middle Age

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 March 2016

Sonya Kaur ,
Mitzi M. Gonzales ,
Takashi Tarumi ,
Astrid Villalpando ,
Mohammed Alkatan ,
Martha Pyron ,
Hirofumi Tanaka  and
Andreana P. Haley
Sonya Kaur
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Austin, Texas
Mitzi M. Gonzales
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Austin, Texas
Takashi Tarumi
Affiliation:
Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, Austin, Texas
Astrid Villalpando
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Austin, Texas
Mohammed Alkatan
Affiliation:
Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, Austin, Texas
Martha Pyron
Affiliation:
Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, Austin, Texas Medicine in Motion, Austin, Texas
Hirofumi Tanaka
Affiliation:
Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, Austin, Texas
Andreana P. Haley*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Austin, Texas Imaging Research Center, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to: Andreana P. Haley, Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, 108 East Dean Keeton, Stop A8000, Austin, TX 78712. E-mail: haley@austin.utexas.edu
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Abstract

Objectives: Excessive adipose tissue, especially in the abdominal area, is associated with increased risk of dementia in older adults. However, the mechanisms underlying this relationship are poorly understood. As increased adiposity is also associated with lower circulating levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a key molecule modulating brain plasticity and neuronal regeneration, we hypothesized that the changes in cognition that occur as a result of excessive abdominal adiposity would be driven by lower levels of circulating BDNF. Methods: Fasting blood samples were obtained from 60 participants aged 40–60 years (mean±SD=52.3±5.6) and BDNF levels were assessed with an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Abdominal adiposity was measured using a ratio of waist circumference to hip circumference (WHR). Participants also completed a neuropsychological assessment battery to assess executive function. Statistical mediation was assessed using traditional causal steps and nonparametric bootstrapping. Results: Higher WHR was significantly associated with poorer performance on the Controlled Oral Word Association (COWA) letter fluency test (β=−0.489; p=.003) and lower levels of circulating BDNF (β=−0.345; p=.006). Linear regression and bootstrapping methods indicated that BDNF fully mediated the relationship between WHR and performance on the COWA (β=0.60; 95% confidence interval [−3.79, −0.26]). Conclusions: The relationship between higher WHR and verbal fluency was fully statistically mediated by circulating BDNF levels. The BDNF pathway is thus a useful probable mechanism through which executive function decline occurs in individuals with high abdominal adiposity. BDNF enhancing interventions (physical exercise and dietary restriction) could thus be used to improve executive function in these individuals. (JINS, 2016, 22, 1–8)

Keywords

Central obesityCognitive declineCardiorespiratory fitnessExecutive functionVisceral fatBrain derived neurotrophic factor
Type
Research Articles
Information
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society , Volume 22 , Issue 5 , May 2016 , pp. 493 - 500
Copyright
Copyright © The International Neuropsychological Society 2016 

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