Hypothalamic gliosis and genetic risk as early indicators of cardiometabolic risk

Dr. Dabin Yeum, postdoctoral scholar (General Internal Medicine) has been awarded an American Heart Association (AHA) Postdoctoral Fellowship, which targets early career scientists.

The title of her project is: “Hypothalamic gliosis and genetic risk as early indicators of cardiometabolic risk.”

Heart disease, diabetes, and obesity are some of the biggest health challenges people face today. Our behaviors, such as diet or exercise, could lead to these issues, but our genes are equally important.

New research shows that the brain plays an important role, too. Deep inside the brain is a small area called the hypothalamus. It is a primary area that controls hunger, how we use energy, and how we respond to stress. Animal research shows that inflammation in this part of the brain can lead to weight gain, high blood pressure, and other health issues over time.

"In my research, I’m studying whether this inflammation in the small brain region can help explain why some people are more likely to develop heart disease or diabetes later in life," she said. "I use brain scans to look for signs of inflammation or damage in the hypothalamus, which could turn out to be an early warning sign for developing heart disease. I’m also studying people’s DNA to see if some genes make people more likely to have this brain inflammation, as well as obesity and/or diabetes."

Her hypothesis is that some people are born with genes that make their brains more sensitive to factors such as poor diet, stress, or inflammation, which could lead to heart disease. To do this, she is working with data from a large research study called the Framingham Heart Study. It includes thousands of people who have had brain scans, genetic testing, and regular checkups over many years.

By combining all this information, she hopes to find new clues about how the brain and genes work together to affect heart health. She is also researching whether brain inflammation can predict who will develop conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease in the future.

If we can understand these connections better, doctors might be able to spot risks earlier and help people stay healthier longer. This research could also lead to new ways of improving heart health by focusing on the brain.

Yeum completed her PhD at Dartmouth College, New Hampshire in 2023. She subsequently accepted a postdoctoral fellowship position at the University of Washington Department of Medicine in the laboratory of Dr. Ellen Schur. She studies how inflammation in a small brain region called the hypothalamus, together with genetic factors, may increase a person’s risk of developing obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.