Association of Estradiol and Visceral Fat With Structural Brain Networks and Memory Performance in Adults

Abstract

Key Points Question Does estradiol mitigate the negative association of visceral fat with structural brain networks and cognitive health? Findings In this cross-sectional study of a German population-based cohort of 974 adults, higher estradiol levels were associated with increased structural brain network covariance and a reduction in the negative association of visceral fat with network covariance, but only for women. In women, higher estradiol levels were associated with better structural network covariance and cognitive performance during midlife. Meaning Assessing visceral adipose tissue and hormone profiles, particularly in women during midlife, may be essential for promoting a healthy brain aging trajectory.

Adiposity‐related insulin resistance and thickness of the cerebral cortex in middle‐aged adults

“…Our observation, however, is supported by previous experimental research reporting that female vs. male brains undergo age‐related changes earlier, and that these changes involve (particularly in females) decreases in bioenergetics metabolism 35 . Our observation is also supported by recent human studies, demonstrating that cortical thickness may be more vulnerable to cardiometabolic risk factors in older females than males, 14 and that a ‘loss’ females sex hormones (and oestradiol in particular) may contribute to this effect 16 …”

“…35 Our observation is also supported by recent human studies, demonstrating that cortical thickness may be more vulnerable to cardiometabolic risk factors in older females than males, 14 and that a 'loss' females sex hormones (and oestradiol in particular) may contribute to this effect. 16 Cortical thickness is determined by cyto-and myelo-architectural features, such as the size and number of neurones and their dendritic branches and the myelination of axons; it is also determined by the size and number of glial cells 36 and the volume of extracellular space. 37,38 In the present study, we observed that cortical regions with greater adiposity/IR-related thinning showed more frequently these cell types may contribute to adiposity/IR-related thinning through having these processes lowered, leading, for example, to lesser potential for activity-driven augmentations in dendritic spine density.…”

“…Accelerated cortical thinning is a characteristic feature of cognitive impairment and dementia and may start years before clinical diagnosis 12 . Furthermore, the current understanding is that both obesity and T2DM accelerate brain ageing, and that ageing of the cerebral cortex demonstrates sex‐specific trajectories, with a gradual shift beginning in midlife (around age 50‐59 years) 10,13‐16 …”

“…12 Furthermore, the current understanding is that both obesity and T2DM accelerate brain ageing, and that ageing of the cerebral cortex demonstrates sex-specific trajectories, with a gradual shift beginning in midlife (around age 50-59 years). 10,[13][14][15][16] The present study was aimed to investigate the association between adiposity-related insulin resistance and thickness of the human cerebral cortex in a community-based sample of middle-aged adults. We performed this analysis separately in males and females who were either younger or older than 50 years.…”

Drug Repurposing for Alzheimer’s Disease based on Protein-Protein Interaction Network

“…The next drug is ESTRADIOL which is stated as a useful drug for enhancement of cognitive functions (41). The other study maintained that ESTRADIOL in higher levels provides a higher covariance in-memory network and a better cognitive health specially for women (42). There are two other studies that suggested using ESTRADIOL as a therapy in Alzheimer's disease (43,44).…”