Insulin sensitivity may explain link between obesity, memory problems Full Text
EurekAlert!, 10/20/2010

Because of impairments in their insulin sensitivity, obese individuals demonstrate different brain responses than their normal–weight peers while completing a challenging cognitive task. The results provide further evidence that a healthy lifestyle at midlife could lead to a higher quality of life later on, especially as new drugs and treatments allow people to live longer. To better understand why midlife obesity is linked to higher risk of cognitive decline and dementia in old age, the researchers had middle–aged adults between 40 and 60 years of age complete a challenging cognitive task while undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).