Talk by PD Dr. Veronica Witte, MPI for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig
Exploring the impact of obesity and diet on human brain structure and function
- Date: Apr 18, 2024
- Time: 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM (Local Time Germany)
- Speaker: Dr. Veronica Witte
- Group leader, Aging and Obesity - OMEGA Lab, in cooperation with Leipzig University Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig
- Location: MPI for Metabolism Research, Gleueler Strasse 50, 50931 Köln
- Room: Seminar room 1
- Host: Prof. Marc Tittgemeyer
- Contact: tittgemeyer@sf.mpg.de
In this talk I will discuss a link between obesity, diet, and brain health, drawing on neuroimaging data from population-based cohorts and interventional trials. Results indicate that a higher body mass index and visceral fat correlate with accelerated brain aging, while interventional data suggest benefits from weight loss and plant-based diets on brain structure and function. In parallel, I like to share exemplary challenges that call for open science and a more holistic approach to study gut-brain interactions. Overall, previous work underlined the intertwined nature of nutrition, metabolism and brain health, advocating for targeted interventions as a means to enhance brain plasticity.