There are many active research projects accessing and applying shared ADNI data. Use the search above to find specific research focuses on the active ADNI investigations. This information is requested annually as a requirement for data access.
| Principal Investigator | |
| Principal Investigator's Name: | Yue Liu |
| Institution: | Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University |
| Department: | Department of Endocrinology |
| Country: | |
| Proposed Analysis: | The association between lipids and changes in cognition and brain imaging Background Lipids are essential components of the brain, accounting for more than half of its dry weight. They play important roles in brain structure, function, and integrity. However, excessive or imbalanced intake of dietary lipids, especially saturated fats, can have detrimental effects on brain health and cognition. Obesity, which is often caused by high-fat diet, has been associated with cerebral atrophy, alteration of brain functions, cognitive impairment, and psychiatric diseases. Moreover, lipids can affect the contrast and signal of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which is a widely used technique to study brain structure and function. Therefore, understanding the association between lipids and changes in cognition and brain imaging is crucial for preventing and treating brain disorders. Aims The main aim of this project is to investigate the association between lipids and changes in cognition and brain imaging in humans. Specifically, we will address the following research questions: How do different types of lipids (e.g., phospholipids, sphingolipids, cholesterol) affect cognitive performance and brain function in healthy adults and patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or Alzheimer’s disease (AD)? How do lipids influence the contrast and signal of different MRI modalities (e.g., T1, T2, T2*, diffusion, spectroscopy) in different brain regions and networks? How do lipids interact with other factors (e.g., age, sex, genetics, inflammation) to modulate cognition and brain imaging? Expected outcomes We expect to find that: Higher levels of lipids, especially saturated fats and cholesterol, are associated with poorer cognitive performance and lower brain function in both healthy adults and patients with MCI or AD. Lipids affect the contrast and signal of MRI by altering the properties of the tissue water and the myelin sheath. Different types of lipids may have different effects on different MRI modalities and brain regions. Lipids interact with other factors to modulate cognition and brain imaging. For example, lipids may exacerbate the effects of age, sex, genetics, or inflammation on cognitive decline and brain atrophy. Significance This project will provide novel insights into the association between lipids and changes in cognition and brain imaging in humans. It will also contribute to the understanding of the mechanisms underlying the effects of lipids on brain health. The findings may have implications for the prevention and treatment of cognitive impairment and dementia by suggesting potential targets for dietary or pharmacological interventions. Furthermore, this project will inform the interpretation of MRI studies by elucidating how lipids affect MRI contrast and signal. |
| Additional Investigators |
