Body Mass Index (BMI) Linked to Brain Volume Loss

There is an increasing focus on the role that lifestyle changes may play in helping to manage multiple sclerosis. Factors such as diet, exercise, mindfulness, vitamin D levels and smoking habits are all subjects of extensive research currently.

In order to progress, it is really important that we gain a clear understanding of exactly what factors are important and if these differ between people living with multiple sclerosis.

A recent study by researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine in the United States has looked into how some of these areas may be related to brain atrophy or ‘shrinking’ in people with multiple sclerosis.

This is a particularly important outcome measure, as it is known that brain volume loss in people with multiple sclerosis occurs quicker than it does in the general population as a result of ageing.

The main finding of the study was that a higher body mass index (BMI) was linked to an increased rate of brain volume loss. Whilst this is interesting, more work will need to be done to work out exactly what the root cause of this association is.

For example, other research has shown that exercise has the potential to have a neuroprotective effect in people living with multiple sclerosis.

Therefore, is this result actually just a by-product of lack of exercise? As it is likely that people who exercise more will also have a lower BMI, it is possible that it is the physical activity that is helping slow brain volume loss. Similarly, lots of studies have shown the potential for a healthy diet to have many benefits for people living with multiple sclerosis. As a healthy diet would also likely lead to a lower BMI, it is reasonable to suggest that this might also be having an impact.

Interestingly, when the researchers also looked at whether vitamin D levels might also be linked to brain volume loss, they didn’t find an association. It is important to realise that this doesn’t necessarily mean that vitamin D levels aren’t important in multiple sclerosis, just that they didn’t impact on brain atrophy in this study.

We will continue to follow research into this area in the future and update you when new findings are published.  In the interim, other articles we have written in relation to body mass index can be viewed here.