Plasma LEAP2 concentration is associated with attention and cognitive responses to low-calorie food cues in men depending on body weight status

Abstract

Background: The putative role of LEAP2 in central nervous system functions such as attentional or cognitive processes related to food intake remain poorly understood in humans.Aims: To investigate the relationship between fasting LEAP2 concentration and attentional or cognitive processes related to food cues, and whether body weight status may modulate them.Methods: Stroop-Food and Stroop Low-Calorie/High-Calorie food tasks, Attention-Network-Test, Iowa-Gambling-Task, and fasting LEAP2 concentration were assessed in 108 men aged 18-40 yr with normal weight (NW) and 91 with overweight or obesity (OW/OB). Multivariable linear regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between fasting LEAP2 concentration and behavioral tests outcomes.Results: Individuals with OW/OB exhibited lower number of correctly identified words in the Stroop Food and Stroop Low-Calorie/High-Calorie Food tasks and had higher LEAP2 concentrations compared to NW participants (p<0.01). Fasting LEAP2 was positively associated with Executive attention [Beta (95% CI): 21.18 (2.91, 39.45), p=0.024], and inversely with Alerting attention [Beta (95% CI): -18.04 (-35.52, -0.57), p=0.043], in NW but not in subjects with OW/OB. LEAP2 was positively related with responses to low-calorie food words [Beta (95% CI): 11.88 (0.52, 23.25), p=0.041] only in subjects with OW/OB.Conclusion: LEAP2 is associated with attention and cognitive responses in men depending on body weight status. It may play a differential role in cognitive processes related to food intake, particularly in individuals with OW/OB while influencing attentional processes in lean subjects.