B4398 - Impact of paternal obesity on cognitive function of offspring - 24/08/2023

B number: 
B4398
Principal applicant name: 
Cheryl Hawkes | Lancaster University (UK)
Co-applicants: 
Dr Neil Dawson, Dr Xiaowen Lin, Prof. Rebecca Hardy, Prof. Keith Godfrey, Dr. Sheila Barton, Prof. Katie Lunnon
Title of project: 
Impact of paternal obesity on cognitive function of offspring
Proposal summary: 

Parental health during pregnancy is a key driver of long-term brain health of offspring. Evidence suggests that children born to obese mothers have lower IQ and poorer memory compared to children of lean mothers. However, much less is known about the impact of paternal obesity on the brain function and mental health of their children. This project will analyse the cognitive function, memory performance and mental health of infants, children and adolescents born to obese and overweight vs lean fathers. We will also investigate the impact of paternal BMI on the brain structure of their children. In addition, we will evaluate the potential additive effect of maternal and paternal obesity on these outcomes. Where possible, we will include relevant genetic information in the analyses to ensure that conclusions about parent-child outcomes are not simply due to gene inheritance. Results from this project will generate important information about whether parental obesity influences the long-term brain health of offspring and the risk of developing neurodevelopmental disorders. The impact on long-term brain health up to young adulthood, as characterised in this study, may also have consequences for the future risk developing neurodegenerative disorders given the primary role of cognitive reserve in protecting against these age-related disorders. This study will play a key role in providing novel insight and new targets for interventional strategies to ensure brain health across the lifespan in the context of an increasing, global at-risk population.

Impact of research: 
More than 60% of adults in England are currently overweight or obese, with men making up a disproportionate percentage. However, little is known about the impact of paternal obesity on offspring health, particularly in terms of offspring brain health across development. Results from this project will generate key information about whether parental obesity influences brain development and maturation across infancy and into early adulthood. Moreover, any interactive effects with maternal obesity will able to be determined. Emerging evidence suggests that parental obesity is an important factor in the development of neurodevelopmental disorders, but this is under researched. In addition, as increasing evidence suggests that neurodegenerative diseases may begin in mid-life, these findings may have consequences for future risk of age-related brain disorders. Results from this project will provide new insight into novel aetiologically-relevant mechanisms that disrupt brain development and increase the risk of poor mental health, and will also provide novel insight into the value of new interventional strategies to ensure brain health across the lifespan.
Date proposal received: 
Wednesday, 16 August, 2023
Date proposal approved: 
Thursday, 24 August, 2023
Keywords: 
Neurology, Developmental disorders - autism, Cognitive impairment, Learning difficulty, Obesity, Statistical methods, BMI, Cognition - cognitive function, Communication (including non-verbal), Development, Intelligence - memory, Neurology, Offspring, Sex differences, Speech and language