Bariatric surgery associated with improved general health and cognition: JAMA

Written By : Jacinthlyn Sylvia |Medically Reviewed By : Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli Published On 2024-03-21T19:30:31+05:30 | Updated On 21 March 2024 7:30 PM IST

A recent study published in the Journal of American Medical Association explored the long-term neurological outcomes associated with bariatric surgery (BS). The study from Rijnstate Hospital in Arnhem, Netherlands and Radboudumc Neuroimaging and Cognition in Obesity focused on the participants with severe obesity who were eligible for Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

This study followed a total of 133 participants aged 35 to 55 years over the period from September 2018 to March 2023. Emma Custers and team collected data before BS and at 6 and 24 months post-surgery. The primary outcomes included various parameters such as body weight, cognitive performance, brain volumes, cortical thickness and cerebral blood flow.

The results from two years post-BS found over 40% of participants experience a significant improvement in global cognition. The inflammatory markers decreased substantially, while the use of antihypertensive medications dropped by more than half. The participants also reported lower depressive symptoms and higher levels of physical activity. One of the major finding was the impact of BS on brain structure and perfusion. While most brain regions expressed lower perfusion post-surgery, the hippocampal and white matter volume remained stable.

The temporal cortex showed increased thickness and improved blood vessel efficiency that suggests a positive impact on cognitive function. These outcomes may improve treatment options for patients with obesity and dementia. This study provides long-term data on the neurological benefits of BS. These findings offer hope for patients and healthcare professionals as obesity rates and its association with cognitive decline are becoming increasingly evident.

Reference:

Custers, E., Vreeken, D., Kleemann, R., Kessels, R. P. C., Duering, M., Brouwer, J., Aufenacker, T. J., Witteman, B. P. L., Snabel, J., Gart, E., Mutsaerts, H. J. M. M., Wiesmann, M., Hazebroek, E. J., & Kiliaan, A. J. (2024). Long-Term Brain Structure and Cognition Following Bariatric Surgery. In JAMA Network Open (Vol. 7, Issue 2, p. e2355380). American Medical Association (AMA). https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.55380

JAMA Network Openbariatric surgerycognition improvement

Source : JAMA Network Open

Jacinthlyn Sylvia

Neuroscience Masters graduate

Jacinthlyn Sylvia, a Neuroscience Master's graduate from Chennai has worked extensively in deciphering the neurobiology of cognition and motor control in aging. She also has spread-out exposure to Neurosurgery from her Bachelor’s. She is currently involved in active Neuro-Oncology research. She is an upcoming neuroscientist with a fiery passion for writing. Her news cover at Medical Dialogues feature recent discoveries and updates from the healthcare and biomedical research fields. She can be reached at editorial@medicaldialogues.in

Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli

Dr Kamal Kant Kohli-MBBS, DTCD- a chest specialist with more than 30 years of practice and a flair for writing clinical articles, Dr Kamal Kant Kohli joined Medical Dialogues as a Chief Editor of Medical News. Besides writing articles, as an editor, he proofreads and verifies all the medical content published on Medical Dialogues including those coming from journals, studies,medical conferences,guidelines etc. Email: drkohli@medicaldialogues.in. Contact no. 011-43720751