Roundup: Genetics May Help Determine a Child’s Obesity Risk; and More News

New Research Finds That Genetics ‘Risk Score’ May Predict Obesity in Children

A global new study indicates that a genetic test could one day predict a child's risk of obesity in adulthood. This could open doors for proactive steps to help kids grow into healthier adults.

Scientists have found that certain small differences in the DNA sequence, called genetic variants, can make some people more prone to storing fat or overeating. These variations can even influence how well someone might respond to certain weight loss medications.

In an international effort, more than 600 researchers recently pooled genetic information from more than 5 million people. This dataset allowed them to develop something called a polygenic risk score. This score looks at many different genetic variants that have been linked to a higher BMI (body mass index) in adults, and combines them to give an overall risk assessment. BMI is a calculation based on a person's weight and height. A high BMI can indicate obesity and an increased risk of various health problems.

Obesity Risk Score: The Future of Prevention?

The researchers believe this new polygenic risk score could potentially predict a child's risk of adult obesity even before they turn five years old. Why is this so important? The earlier the potential risk can be identified, the sooner preventive strategies can be implemented.

This research comes at a critical time. Obesity rates are soaring globally, with adult rates more than doubling since 1990 and adolescent rates quadrupling. In the United States, more than 40 percent of adults are affected by obesity.

While other tests exist to predict obesity risk, this new genetic test shows promising improvements. It was found to be about twice as effective as current methods, accounting for roughly 17.6 percent of a person's risk for a high BMI, particularly in individuals of European ancestry.

Beyond Genetics: The Bigger Picture

While genetic factors can play a significant role, especially in cases of severe obesity (a BMI over 40), the vast majority of obesity risk – over 80 percent – is still explained by other factors. These include our environment, the types of food we have access to, and how much physical activity we get.

This new genetic score is a significant step forward, but it's still a prototype. The study also highlighted the need for more diverse genetic data, especially from individuals of African ancestry, to ensure the score is equally effective for everyone.

The hope is that by identifying a child's genetic risk early, healthcare providers and families can work together to implement lifestyle coaching and interventions. Research shows that early intervention can make a big difference, as a significant number of children with obesity go on to experience obesity in adolescence and adulthood.

Researchers Cite Possible Health Risks Linked to Popular Sugar Substitute

Erythritol, a popular sugar substitute found in everything from low-carb ice creams to “sugar-free” sodas and keto protein bars, has gained widespread acceptance as a healthier alternative to traditional sugar.

Marketed as virtually calorie-free and friendly to blood sugar levels, it has become a go-to ingredient for individuals managing weight, diabetes, or following low-carb diets. However, new research suggests this common additive may come with hidden health risks—particularly to brain and cardiovascular health.

A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder, and published in the Journal of Applied Physiology, has raised concerns about erythritol’s potential to increase stroke risk. According to the study, erythritol may impair vital functions in the cells lining blood vessels in the brain, thereby raising the likelihood of clot formation and blood vessel constriction.

“Our study adds to the evidence suggesting that non-nutritive sweeteners that have generally been purported to be safe, may not come without negative health consequences,” said senior author Christopher DeSouza, professor of integrative physiology and director of the Integrative Vascular Biology Lab at CU Boulder, in a news release.

What Researchers Found

To better understand how erythritol may impact vascular health, the CU Boulder research team treated human brain blood vessel cells with levels of erythritol comparable to those found in a single sugar-free beverage. Treated cells produced lower amounts of nitric oxide, a molecule that typically helps dilate blood vessels, and higher amounts of endothelin-1, a protein that causes blood vessel constriction.

Moreover, when exposed to thrombin—a clot-promoting agent—the erythritol-treated cells showed a diminished ability to produce tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), a natural compound responsible for breaking down blood clots. The cells also generated more reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are known to damage tissues and accelerate aging.

These physiological changes suggest a greater tendency toward blood clotting and reduced vascular flexibility, both of which are major contributors to stroke risk. "Big picture, if your vessels are more constricted and your ability to break down blood clots is lowered, your risk of stroke goes up,” said Auburn Berry, lead author and graduate student in DeSouza’s lab, in a news release. “Our research demonstrates not only that, but how erythritol has the potential to increase stroke risk.”

Moderation and Awareness Urged

While the study was limited to laboratory cell analysis, the researchers emphasized the importance of awareness and caution. Notably, the experimental dose of erythritol mirrored that of a typical serving size in consumer products. Given that some individuals may consume multiple servings daily, the cumulative effects could be even more pronounced.

Mr. DeSouza concluded with a call for mindful consumption: “Given the epidemiological study that inspired our work, and now our cellular findings, we believe it would be prudent for people to monitor their consumption of non-nutrient-sweeteners such as this one.”

Advancing Brain Imaging: New MRI Scanner Provides Microscopic Look at Nerve Structures

A major advancement in brain imaging is set to transform neuroscience research and the clinical understanding of brain disorders, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Backed in part by the NIH, a team of researchers has unveiled the Connectome 2.0 human MRI scanner, an ultra-high-resolution imaging platform that can visualize brain structures at nearly cellular-level precision — something previously unachievable in living humans.

The Connectome 2.0 scanner represents a leap over conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems, the NIH said in a news release. While traditional MRI scans provide structural details at the millimeter scale, they are not equipped to reveal microscopic components of the brain, such as individual nerve fibers or cellular arrangements.

These tiny structures are essential to understanding the “connectome,” the comprehensive map of neural connections that underpin brain function.

 “This research is a transformative leap in brain imaging – pushing the boundaries of what we can see and understand about the living human brain at a cellular level,” states John Ngai, M.D., director of NIH’s BRAIN Initiative, in a news release. “The new scanner lays essential groundwork for the BRAIN CONNECTS program’s ultimate goal of developing a wiring diagram for the human brain.”

Key Technical Innovations

Two major advancements distinguish the Connectome 2.0 scanner:

1. Ergonomic Design: The scanner is engineered to fit snugly around the heads of patients, optimizing spatial orientation for detailed image acquisition.
2. Increased Channel Capacity: It contains many more detection channels than conventional MRI systems. This enhancement boosts the signal-to-noise ratio, resulting in exceptionally sharp images of the brain’s microstructures.

Together, these improvements enable the scanner to capture brain architecture with nearly single-micron resolution — approximately one-millionth of a meter, the NIH states. This level of detail approaches the scale of individual axons (the long, thread-like parts of nerve cells that transmit signals), opening the door to detecting subtle differences in cell size or nerve fiber diameter in real time.

Noninvasive and Safe for Human Use

The research team also confirmed that the scanner is safe for healthy human participants. For the first time, scientists were able to observe differences in brain microstructure — such as variations in axon diameter — across individuals without requiring postmortem or animal studies.

As senior author, Susie Huang, M.D., of Massachusetts General Hospital explains: “Our goal was to build an imaging platform that could truly span scales – from cells to circuits. It provides researchers and clinicians with a powerful new tool to study brain architecture in health and disease, in real time.”

Implications for Neuroscience and Medicine

By visualizing the brain’s wiring down to the cellular level, researchers can begin to understand how specific neural pathways relate to cognition, behavior, and mental or neurological disorders. This knowledge could pave the way for personalized, noninvasive treatments targeting unique brain circuits in individuals.

As the technology continues to develop, it may contribute not only to improved diagnostics but also to new therapies for conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, and traumatic brain injury, the NIH said.