The brain and body interact bidirectionally through complex neural, endocrine, immune, and metabolic pathways. Systemic diseases can affect brain structure and function, while brain disorders can influence peripheral organ systems. This review surveys recent neuroimaging studies that reveal disease-specific brain alterations across multiple systemic conditions, including cardiovascular, metabolic, autoimmune, and infectious diseases. We highlight common and distinct patterns of brain involvement and discuss the potential of imaging biomarkers for early diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring. Advanced imaging techniques provide unprecedented insights into brain-body interactions in health and disease.

Muscle and bone, key tissues that maintain the body's structure and function, are closely connected both anatomically and physiologically. Growing evidence suggests that vascular dysfunction serves as a critical link between sarcopenia and osteoporosis. This review summarizes the structural and functional interactions between the musculoskeletal and vascular systems, examines shared mechanisms underlying sarcopenia and osteoporosis, and discusses potential therapeutic strategies targeting vascular health to mitigate both conditions. The crosstalk between muscle-derived and bone-derived factors, mediated by the vascular system, offers new insights for understanding and treating these age-related conditions.

Researchers at the University of Osaka found that Bofutsushosan, a Kampo medicine used for obesity, reduced fibrosis-related changes in fat tissue and the liver of aged male mice. Cell experiments suggested that Bofutsushosan also had a direct effect on fibrosis-related signals, partly through the TGF-β/SMAD2/3 pathway. Four ingredients showed particularly strong anti-fibrotic activity, while some mineral ingredients showed the opposite effect under cell-culture conditions. Adjusting the formula strengthened the suppression of some fibrosis-related markers in cultured cells. However, the modified formulas have not been tested in animals or people, and further research is required before the findings can guide treatment.