Our analyses of multimodal data from brain magnetic resonance imaging and body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in adults reveal that fat accumulation in specific body regions contributes to differential neural vulnerabilities and cognitive aging, independently of body mass index.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 12 digital issues and online access to articles
$79.00 per year
only $6.58 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on SpringerLink
- Instant access to the full article PDF.
USD 39.95
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

References
Blüher, M. Obesity: global epidemiology and pathogenesis. Nat. Rev. Endocrinol. 15, 288–298 (2019). This paper reports a comprehensive overview of the worldwide prevalence of obesity and its underlying biological mechanisms.
Bischof, G. N. & Park, D. C. Obesity and aging: consequences for cognition, brain structure, and brain function. Psychosom. Med. 77, 697–709 (2015). This review summarizes the relationships among obesity, cognitive decline, and structural and functional abnormalities in the brain.
Santos, A. L. & Sinha, S. Obesity and aging: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic approaches. Ageing Res. Rev. 67, 101268 (2021). This review presents the mechanisms and complexity underlying the relationship between obesity and aging.
Fantuzzi, G. Adipose tissue, adipokines, and inflammation. J. Allergy. Clin. Immunol. 115, 911–920 (2005). This review presents how visceral adipose tissue promotes the release of pro-inflammatory factors.
Alser, M. & Elrayess, M. A. From an apple to a pear: moving fat around for reversing insulin resistance. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 19, 14251 (2022). This review presents the potential protective effects of lower-body adipose tissue.
Additional information
Publisher’s note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
This is a summary of: Zhang, D. et al. Regional adiposity shapes brain and cognition in adults. Nat. Ment. Health https://doi.org/10.1038/s44220-025-00501-8 (2025).
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Regional adiposity shapes neural system vulnerability in brain and cognitive aging. Nat. Mental Health 3, 1114–1115 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44220-025-00513-4
Published:
Version of record:
Issue date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s44220-025-00513-4