Insulin resistance linked to frontal sulcal enlargement on brain MRI in non-diabetic adults

Higher insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was linked to greater frontal sulcal volumes (left β=596 mm³, right β=344 mm³; p<0.001) in 728 non-diabetic adults, detectable before atrophy. Only in men, strongest <70y. BMI effect mediated by insulin resistance.

• The association was sex-specific: significant only in men (sex × HOMA-IR interaction p=0.019) and strongest in participants younger than 70 years.
• Mediation analysis showed that BMI's effect on frontal sulcal enlargement was indirect through insulin resistance, with no significant direct effect of BMI.
• Sulcal morphology changes were detected while frontal gray matter volumetry did not show differences, highlighting the sensitivity of this metric.

Automated summary

RadPigeon summaries are original and for information only. They are not clinical advice.