Obesity is associated with increased brain glucose uptake and activity but not neuroinflammation ( TSPO availability) in monozygotic twin pairs discordant for BMI —Exercise training reverses increased brain activity

Hentilä, J; Tuisku, J; Ojala, R; Sun, L; Lietzén, MS; Virtanen, H; Lautamäki, R; Koskensalo, K; Nummenmaa, L; Löyttyniemi, E; Helin, S; Pietiläinen, KH; Kaprio, J; Lahti, L; Malm, T; Rinne, JO; Hannukainen, JC

doi:10.1111/dom.70109

Obesity

Obesity is associated with increased brain glucose uptake and activity but not neuroinflammation ( translocator protein (TSPO) availability) in monozygotic twin pairs discordant for BMI —Exercise training reverses increased brain activity

Diabetes Obes MetabPublished 10 Sep 2025Twin study with exercise intervention

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Authors' conclusion

Exercise training had no effect on insulin-stimulated BGU or neuroinflammation (TSPO availability) but it reversed increased resting state brain activity in heavier co-twins. At baseline, obesity was associated with increased insulin-stimulated BGU and resting state brain activity, independent of genetics.

Study context

Population: Monozygotic twin pairs discordant for BMI, mean age 40.4 years12 twin pairs

Comparison: Heavier vs leaner co-twins; before vs after exercise training
Outcome: Insulin-stimulated BGU (euglycaemic-hyperinsulinaemic clamp, [18F]FDG-PET), neuroinflammation (TSPO availability, [11C]PK11195-PET) and resting state brain activity (fMRI)
Follow-up: 6 months

Methodological detailsmonozygotic twin pairs discordant for BMI, 6-month exercise intervention

Monozygotic twin pairs discordant for BMI
6-month exercise intervention

Main finding

As reported in the abstract

Effect of exercise training

Decreased resting state brain activity in heavier co-twins after exercise: p <0.05

Further findings

VO2peak, whole-body insulin sensitivity and cognitive function after exercise · 6 months

Improved similarly in both groups: all, p <0.05

Baseline: heavier vs leaner co-twins

Worse whole-body insulin sensitivity in heavier co-twins: P < 0.01
Increased brain glucose uptake (BGU) in parietal cortex and caudatus and increased resting state brain activity in heavier co-twins: both, p <0.05
Higher TSPO availability in white matter and hippocampus in leaner co-twins: P < 0.05
No difference in cognitive function

Original publication

Obesity is associated with increased brain glucose uptake and activity but not neuroinflammation ( TSPO availability) in monozygotic twin pairs discordant for BMI —Exercise training reverses increased brain activity. Diabetes Obes Metab. Published 10 September 2025. doi:10.1111/dom.70109

Read the original article ↗

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