All participants received standardized MR scans on the same 1.5 T Siemens Avanto MRI System utilizing identical protocols described previously (13 (link)). Briefly, coronal spin–lattice relaxation time (T1)-weighted magnetization-prepared rapid acquisition gradient echo (MPRAGE) sequence was used for structural assessments. The axial DTI sequence assessed WM microstructure. The axial T2-weighted sequence was used along with the MPRAGE as anatomical guide in the DTI processing. The axial fast fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequence was used to rule out primary neurological disease.
Four obese and two lean participants were without MR data because they could not fit in the scanner or they were claustrophobic. Additionally, one lean participant had significant artifacts on the images, thus resulting in 53 (26 obese and 27 lean) participants with MRI scans for the volumetric and cortical thickness analyses. Of the 53 cases with usable scans, two obese participants had significant spatial distortions from dental braces on the DTI scans, thus leaving 51 (24 obese/27 lean) for fractional anisotropy (FA) analyses.
Four obese and two lean participants were without MR data because they could not fit in the scanner or they were claustrophobic. Additionally, one lean participant had significant artifacts on the images, thus resulting in 53 (26 obese and 27 lean) participants with MRI scans for the volumetric and cortical thickness analyses. Of the 53 cases with usable scans, two obese participants had significant spatial distortions from dental braces on the DTI scans, thus leaving 51 (24 obese/27 lean) for fractional anisotropy (FA) analyses.
