The effects of aerobic fitness and BMI on brain volumes and white matter hyperintensities in coronary artery disease
Motivation: The effects of cardiorespiratory fitness and body mass index (BMI) on brain health in individuals with coronary artery disease (CAD) remains poorly understood. Goal(s): Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of cardiorespiratory fitness and BMI on white matter hyperintensities, gray matter and white matter volumes in patients with CAD. Approach: Brain volumes were measured through voxel-based morphometry and white matter hyperintensities were segmented using a validated automated classifier. Results: Overall, cardiorespiratory fitness in patients with CAD was positively associated with gray matter volumes, while higher BMI was linked with lower gray and white matter volumes. Impact: These findings support the importance of exercise and weight management in individuals with coronary artery disease to maintain brain health, especially in the middle cerebral arterial territory.
Authors
- Dalia Sabra
- Brittany Intzandt (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8475-988X)
- Stefanie A Tremblay (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6026-6239)
- Christine Gagnon (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1960-6198)
- Christopher Steele (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6478-464X)
- Mahsa Dadar (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4008-2672)
- Mathieu Gayda (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1721-2299)
- Safa Sanami
- Claudine Joëlle Gauthier (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5137-5019)
- Josep Iglésies (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3269-6455)
- Lindsay Wright (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4739-883X)
- Olivier Parent (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3177-0353)
- Anil Nigam
- Zacharie Potvin-Jutras (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-9656-2728)
- Ali Rezaei
- Amélie Mainville-Berthiaume
- Louis Bherer
Publication Details
- Journal
- Proceedings on CD-ROM - International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. Scientific Meeting and Exhibition/Proceedings of the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, Scientific Meeting and Exhibition
- Published
- 2025-09-16
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.58530/2025/1512
- Primary Topic
- Cardiovascular Disease and Adiposity
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00