Cognitive improvement after bariatric surgery in obesity: neuronal correlates and underlying mechanisms
Clinical Neurology; Neurosurgery and Neuroradiology
Final Report Abstract
Obesity is consistently associated with reduced gray matter volume, less intact white matter structure, and diminished cognitive function, in addition to its metabolic complications. Bariatric surgery, a treatment option for obesity, induces not only highly significant weight loss, but also effectively improves metabolic conditions and comorbidities such as hypertension or diabetes. However, the potential benefits of bariatric surgery on brain structure, networks, and cognition are not well understood. This study aims to investigate the impact of bariatric surgery on brain structure and function. Patients with obesity who planned to undergo bariatric surgery participated in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessments at baseline (BL), six months (FU1), and twelve months (FU2) post-surgery. Assessments of anthropometry, metabolic markers, and cognitive function were conducted at BL, FU1, and FU2. Patients on the waiting list for surgery served as the control group. Additionally, a nonobese (i.e., normal weight) control group was also assessed. Overall, this longitudinal study revealed that while bariatric surgery induces structural brain changes, it does not significantly enhance cognitive function or alter functional connectivity in major brain networks. Additionally, two proof of concept studies emphasize the critical role of controlling head motion in neuroimaging experiments and highlight the potential of gastrointestinal hormones like Leptin, Ghrelin, PP and GLP-1 as reliable biomarkers for future research on obesity and weight management.
Publications
-
Bariatric Surgery and Brain Health—A Longitudinal Observational Study Investigating the Effect of Surgery on Cognitive Function and Gray Matter Volume. Nutrients, 12(1), 127.
Prehn, Kristin; Profitlich, Thorge; Rangus, Ida; Heßler, Sebastian; Witte, A. Veronica; Grittner, Ulrike; Ordemann, Jürgen & Flöel, Agnes
-
Weight loss reduces head motion: Revisiting a major confound in neuroimaging. Human Brain Mapping, 41(9), 2490-2494.
Beyer, Frauke; Prehn, Kristin; Wüsten, Katharina A.; Villringer, Arno; Ordemann, Jürgen; Flöel, Agnes & Witte, A. Veronica
-
Effects of bariatric surgery on functional connectivity of the reward and default mode network: A pre‐registered analysis. Human Brain Mapping, 42(16), 5357-5373.
Heinrichs, Hannah S.; Beyer, Frauke; Medawar, Evelyn; Prehn, Kristin; Ordemann, Jürgen; Flöel, Agnes & Witte, A. Veronica
-
Gastrointestinal Hormones in Healthy Adults: Reliability of Repeated Assessments and Interrelations with Eating Habits and Physical Activity. Nutrients, 13(11), 3809.
Wortha, Silke M.; Wüsten, Katharina A.; Witte, Veronica A.; Bössel, Nicole; Keßler, Wolfram; Vogelgesang, Antje & Flöel, Agnes
-
Association of spermidine plasma levels with brain aging in a population‐based study. Alzheimer's & Dementia, 19(5), 1832-1840.
Wortha, Silke M.; Frenzel, Stefan; Bahls, Martin; Habes, Mohamad; Wittfeld, Katharina; Van der Auwera, Sandra; Bülow, Robin; Zylla, Stephanie; Friedrich, Nele; Nauck, Matthias; Völzke, Henry; Grabe, Hans J.; Schwarz, Claudia & Flöel, Agnes
-
Association of spermidine blood levels with microstructure of sleep—implications from a population-based study. GeroScience, 46(1), 1319-1330.
Wortha, Silke M.; Schulz, Juliane; Hanna, Jevri; Schwarz, Claudia; Stubbe, Beate; Frenzel, Stefan; Bülow, Robin; Friedrich, Nele; Nauck, Matthias; Völzke, Henry; Ewert, Ralf; Vogelgesang, Antje; Grabe, Hans J.; Ladenbauer, Julia & Flöel, Agnes
