Circulating metabolites are associated with brain atrophy and white matter hyperintensities

Leeuw, F.A.; Karamujic-Comic, H.; Tijms, B.M.; Peeters, C.F.W.; Kester, M.I.; Scheltens, P.; ... ; Flier, W.M. (2020)

Article / Letter to editor

Introduction: Our aim was to study whether systemic metabolites are associated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measures of brain and hippocampal atrophy and white matter hyperintensities (WMH).Methods: We studied associations of 143 plasma-based metabolites with MRI measures of brain and hippocampal atrophy and WMH in three independent cohorts (n = 3962). We meta-analyzed the results of linear regression analyses to determine the association of metabolites with MRI measures.Results: Higher glucose levels and lower levels of three small high density lipoprotein (HDL) particles were associated with brain atrophy. Higher glucose levels were associated with WMH.Discussion: Glucose levels were associated with brain atrophy and WMH, and small HDL particle levels were associated with brain atrophy. Circulating metabolites may aid in developing future intervention trials.

• All authors: Leeuw, F.A.; Karamujic-Comic, H.; Tijms, B.M.; Peeters, C.F.W.; Kester, M.I.; Scheltens, P.; Ahmad, S.; Vojinovic, D.; Adams, H.H.H.; Hankemeier, T.; Bos, D.; Lugt, A. van der; Vernooij, M.W.; Ikram, M.A.; Amin, N.; Barkhof, F.; Teunissen, C.E.; Duijn, C.M. van; Flier, W.M.
• Date: 2020-09-04
• Journal: Alzheimer's and Dementia
• Volume: 17
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 205 - 214
• DOI: doi:10.1002/alz.12180