Cerebral anatomy, inflammatory mediators and appetite regulatory hormones in obese pediatrics patients: a neurobiology study of obesity

Abstract

The incidence of obesity is increasing worldwide, and the same is observed in child population. The increased adiposity is associated to damage to several tissues. Previous voxel-based morphometric and diffusion tensor imaging studies have demonstrated that obese adults have reduced grey matter (GM) in several brain areas and changes in brain connectivity. These data may indicate an increased propensity to obesity, preceding weight gain, or brain tissue affection, as a consequence of obesity. Objectives. The present study will seek volume differences of grey matter and connectivity changes in brain areas that involve the regulation of taste, reward and behavioral control in obese children, linking these differences with blood rates of inflammatory signals, hormones and CNS neuropeptides related to food intake. From this prospective, it will seek precocious brain changes in obesity and its relation with the rated substances Methods. Voxel-based morphometric and diffusion tensor imaging MRI study with 60 obese children and 60 healthy controls, both groups aged 10 to 12 years. Children with clinical, neurological or psychiatric relevant previous diseases will be excluded at the screening. All subjects will be submitted to clinical evaluation such as cardiac frequency, blood pressure, height, weight, body mass index for age (according CDC), and blood rates for glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, inflammatory mediators (IL1, IL6, IL10, TNF±, PCR and amiloid a)and hormones (leptin, insulin, MSH, MCH and NPY). (AU)