Current Perspectives: Obesity and Neurodegeneration - Links and Risks

Abstract

Obesity is increasing in prevalence across all age groups. Long-term obesity can lead to the development of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases through its effects on adipose, skeletal muscle, and liver tissue. Pathological mechanisms associated with obesity include immune response and inflammation as well as oxidative stress and consequent endothelial and mitochondrial dysfunction. Recent evidence links obesity to diminished brain health and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). Both AD and PD are associated with insulin resistance, an underlying syndrome of obesity. Despite these links, causative mechanism(s) resulting in neurodegenerative disease remain unclear. This review discusses relationships between obesity, AD, and PD, including clinical and preclinical findings. The review then briefly explores nonpharmacological directions for intervention.

Investigating the Neuroprotective and Cognitive-Enhancing Effects of Bacopa monnieri: A Systematic Review Focused on Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, Mitochondrial Dysfunction, and Apoptosis

“…This response can have beneficial effects by promoting tissue repair and removing cellular debris. However, when prolonged, it is harmful and inhibits regeneration [114][115][116]. Inflammatory stimulation may persist due to endogenous (e.g., genetic mutation and protein aggregation) or environmental (e.g., infection, trauma, and drugs) factors involving microglia and astrocytes, leading to neurodegenerative diseases [117,118].…”

“…Alzheimer's disease can be considered as the most prevalent type of dementia and is characterized by being a progressive and slowly evolving neurodegenerative disease. The main neuropathological markers are neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, resulting from the accumulation of beta-amyloid peptide in the most affected areas of the brain [116,183,[189][190][191]]. Parkinson's disease is seen as a chronic and progressive neurodegenerative scenario that occurs due to the gradual degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra parspacta region.…”