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Allostatic load and executive functions in overweight adults.

Authors :: Ottino-González J
Jurado MA
García-García I
Caldú X
Prats-Soteras X
Tor E
Sender-Palacios MJ
Garolera M
Source :: Psychoneuroendocrinology [Psychoneuroendocrinology] 2019 Aug; Vol. 106, pp. 165-170. Date of Electronic Publication: 2019 Apr 08.
Publication Year :: 2019
Abstract: Background/objective: Overweight is linked to inflammatory and neuroendocrine responses potentially prompting deregulations in biological systems harmful to the brain, particularly to the prefrontal cortex. This structure is crucial for executive performance, ultimately supervising behaviour. Thus, in the present work, we aimed to test the relationship between allostatic load increase, a surrogate of chronic physiological stress, and core executive functions, such as cognitive flexibility, inhibitory control, and working memory.<br />Method: Forty-seven healthy-weight and 56 overweight volunteers aged from 21 to 40 underwent medical and neuropsychological examination.<br />Results: Overweight subjects exhibited a greater allostatic load index than healthy-weight individuals. Moreover, the allostatic load index was negatively related to inhibitory control. When separated, the link between allostatic load index and cognitive flexibility was more marked in the overweight group.<br />Conclusions: An overweight status was linked to chronic physiological stress. The inverse relationship between the allostatic load index and cognitive flexibility proved stronger in this group. Set-shifting alterations could sustain rigid-like behaviours and attitudes towards food.<br /> (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)