A recent study examined the relationship between depressive symptoms, body composition, and brain structure volumes in women with varying body mass index (BMI) levels. Among 265 participants, depressive symptoms were linked to nucleus accumbens volume in overweight/obese women (BMI ≥25 kg/m²) and insula volume in normal-/underweight women (BMI <25 kg/m²). In overweight/obese women, nucleus accumbens volume inversely correlated with depressive severity and visceral fat percentage, suggesting ties to neuroinflammation and metabolic disruptions. In contrast, insula volume in normal-/underweight women was positively associated with fat-free mass and negatively with depressive symptoms, indicating a potential role for physical activity and muscle-derived factors like myokines.

These findings reveal distinct brain-body interactions in depression based on body composition. Overweight/obese women were associated with atypical depression features such as increased appetite and visceral fat, while normal-/underweight women exhibited melancholic traits like reduced muscle mass and hypercortisolemia. While the study highlights the complexity of brain and body interactions in depression, further research is necessary to deepen understanding and develop targeted treatments for these subgroups.

Reference: Łapińska L, Szum-Jakubowska A, Krentowska A, et al. The relationship between brain structure volumes, depressive symptoms and body composition in obese/overweight and normal-/underweight women. Sci Rep. 2024;14(1):21021. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-71924-z.