Being overweight or obese can cause decreased cerebral blood flow resulting in an increased risk of Alzheimer’s and other conditions

A new large scale study has linked obesity and being overweight with Alzheimer’s and various brain conditions using neuroimaging scans. Scientists analyzed over 35,000 functional neuroimaging scans using Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) to measure blood flow and brain activity.

Low cerebral blood flow is a recognised brain imaging predictor that an individual will often go on to develop Alzheimer’s. Low cerebral blood flow is also associated with depression, addiction, bipolar disorder and suicide. “This study shows that being overweight or obese seriously impacts brain activity and increases the risk for Alzheimer’s disease as well as many other psychiatric and cognitive conditions,” said Daniel G. Amen, MD and lead author.

The study was performed whilst individuals were in both a resting state and whilst performing concentration tasks. The areas of the brain believed to be vulnerable to Alzheimer’s including the hippocampus were found to have a reduced blood flow in those overweight and obese.