Vol 9, No 4 (2024)
Original article
Published online: 2024-12-05
Body fat, cognitive performance and inflammatory cytokines in healthy, young women
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DOI: 10.5603/mrj.102929
Med Res J 2024;9(4):394-400.
Abstract
Introduction: There is growing evidence indicating that being overweight and obese has a negative impact
on the central nervous system. It was also demonstrated that excessive body fat coincides with lower levels
of cognitive functions. The potential mechanism by which the excessive adipose tissue can negatively
influence cognitive performance is unclear. However, it is generally accepted that the negative impact of
body fat on cognitive function may be mediated by inflammatory cytokines. The current study examines
the impact of body fat on cognitive performance in young, healthy people. The authors also attempt to
determine the potential mechanism of such an impact.
Material and methods: 38 women, age 21.65 ± 1.45 took part in this study. To evaluate the cognitive
performance of the present subjects, standard cognitive tests were used: the Face/name Association
Test, Stroop Test, and Trail Making Test. The level of fat tissue was determined by a body composition
analyzer (Tanita, type BC-418MA). The levels of IL-6 and TNF-alpha were determined in serum using an
enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit (LDN GmbH & Co., Nordhorn, Germany).
Results: A statistically significant relationship was observed between the percentage of body fat tissue and
the level of TNF-α as well as waist-hip ratio and IL-6. A negative correlation was demonstrated between
the level of IL-6 and cognitive performance. A statistically significant correlation between the level of TNF-α
and the results of cognitive tests was not observed.
Conclusions: This study confirms that an increase in body fat content leads to a decreasing level of
cognitive performance. Also, demonstrated was a negative correlation between the level of IL-6 and the
results of cognitive tests in young people.
Keywords: fat tissuecognitive functionyoung peopleInterleukin-6TNF-αinflammation
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