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Characterization of brain morphology associated with metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease in the UK Biobank
Wenxiao Fan, Shuping Yang, Yiran Wei, Minle Tian, Qianying Liu, Xiaomeng Li, Jiahao Ding, Xuewei Li et al.. Diabetes Obesity and Metabolism, 2025-04-02
Topic: Brain proteins, microglia and lab models
MASLD was significantly associated with smaller volumes of total grey matter and subcortical grey matter (p < 0.05) and reduced Alzheimer's disease (AD)-signature cortical thickness (multivariable-adjusted β = -0.04; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.07, -0.01). Having MASLD was associated with higher total white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume (multivariable-adjusted β = 0.12; 95% CI: 0.10, 0.15). For white matter microstructure, MASLD was associated with increased global FA (multivariable-adjusted β = 0.05; 95% CI: 0.03, 0.08) and reduced global MD (multivariable-adjusted β = -0.04; 95% CI: -0.07, -0.01). Brain morphology associated with MASLD is characterized by smaller subcortical grey matter volume and higher coherence but lower magnitudes of white matter microstructure.
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
APA 7th
Fan, W., Yang, S., Wei, Y., Tian, M., Liu, Q., Li, X., et al. (2025). Characterization of brain morphology associated with metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease in the UK Biobank. Diabetes Obesity and Metabolism. https://doi.org/10.1111/dom.16362
Vancouver
Fan W, Yang S, Wei Y, Tian M, Liu Q, Li X, et al. Characterization of brain morphology associated with metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease in the UK Biobank. Diabetes Obesity and Metabolism. 2025. doi:10.1111/dom.16362. PMID: 40171859.
BibTeX
@article{fan2025-40171859,
author = {Fan, Wenxiao and Yang, Shuping and Wei, Yiran and Tian, Minle and Liu, Qianying and Li, Xiaomeng and Ding, Jiahao and Li, Xuewei and others},
title = {{Characterization of brain morphology associated with metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease in the UK Biobank}},
journal = {Diabetes Obesity and Metabolism},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.1111/dom.16362},
pmid = {40171859},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1111/dom.16362}
}
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Key findings
- MASLD was significantly associated with smaller volumes of total grey matter and subcortical grey matter (p < 0.05) and reduced Alzheimer's disease (AD)-signature cortical thickness (multivariable-adjusted β = -0.04; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.07, -0.01).
- Having MASLD was associated with higher total white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume (multivariable-adjusted β = 0.12; 95% CI: 0.10, 0.15).
- For white matter microstructure, MASLD was associated with increased global FA (multivariable-adjusted β = 0.05; 95% CI: 0.03, 0.08) and reduced global MD (multivariable-adjusted β = -0.04; 95% CI: -0.07, -0.01).
- Brain morphology associated with MASLD is characterized by smaller subcortical grey matter volume and higher coherence but lower magnitudes of white matter microstructure.
Why it matters
In this cross-sectional UK Biobank study, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease was linked to smaller grey matter volumes, reduced Alzheimer's disease-signature cortical thickness and higher white matter hyperintensity volume. The study describes brain structure associations only and cannot show whether treating liver disease affects dementia risk.
Study details
- Study designcross-sectional
- Participants29,195
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 51/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal, and it is a snapshot of people at one point in time. Scored zero for effect reported and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Diabetes Obesity and Metabolism) |
| Journal's citation record | 2 / 4 | Diabetes Obesity and Metabolism: journal h-index 186 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 4 / 12 | A snapshot of people at one point in time |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 4 / 5 | 2025 — within 3 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 4 / 4 | 29,195 participants |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 3 / 3 | Studied in people (participant count stated) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 2 / 7 | Cited 9 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 2 / 5 | 3.0 citations a year over 3 year(s) since 2025 |
| Impact for its field and year | 3 / 6 | Cited 5.6× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 1 / 6 | Cited by 1 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 1 / 4 | Cited 9 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 2 / 4 | Last-listed author Yongxiang Wang: h-index 35 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 1 / 3 | Karolinska Institutet: institution h-index 1,477 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 2 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 4 institution(s) in 2 countries |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 40171859) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 51 / 100 | — |
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