Examination of Cognitive Function in Obesity and Following Weight Loss
Examination of Cognitive Function in Obesity and Following Weight Loss
Bariatric surgery is the most effective, long-term treatment for morbid obesity, and
 consistent with previous findings, individuals who lose significant weight after surgery also
 have improved cognition or "brain function". The mechanisms behind these cognitive
 improvements are currently unknown, but are the focus of much research effort. The goal of
 this pilot study is to thoroughly describe these changes in surgical versus medical weight
 loss patients over time in a repeated measures fashion.
Recent studies have demonstrated that obesity is associated with decreased cognitive function
 and, interestingly, weight loss is associated with improved cognitive function. Bariatric
 surgery is the most effective, long-term treatment for morbid obesity, and consistent with
 these previous findings, individuals who lose significant weight after surgery appear to have
 improved cognition. Previous results have only reported the appearance of cognitive
 improvements starting at three months postoperatively, thus, the main focus of this study is
 to discover whether cognitive function improvements are seen as early as one month after
 bariatric surgery. An acceleration in the onset of cognitive function changes could provide
 insight towards the ambiguous underlying neural mechanisms. The benefits of bariatric surgery
 extend beyond reversible cognitive deficits. Many of the medical comorbid conditions that
 these patients have before surgery (e.g. high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes)
 typically resolve prior to any significant weight loss. The mechanisms for these
 weight-independent improvements are also undetermined. A secondary focus of this study is to
 determine whether or not cognitive function following bariatric surgery also improves prior
 to significant weight loss. To test whether cognitive function changes following bariatric
 surgery, two cohorts of surgical patients will be recruited as well as another group of
 patients undergoing medical weight loss treatment. The goal of this pilot study is to
 reproduce and expand upon previous findings that demonstrate cognitive improvements following
 bariatric surgery.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  English speaking

 -  Within the age rage of 18-70 years

 -  Able to give informed consent

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Neurological disorder or previous injury (e.g. stoke, dementia, seizures, traumatic
 brain injury)

 -  History of any moderate to severe head injury (i.e. >5 minutes of loss of
 consciousness)

 -  History of severe psychiatric illness requiring current pharmacologic therapy(e.g.
 schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, personality disorders)

 -  History of illicit drug or alcohol abuse

 -  Known diagnosis of learning or developmental disability

 -  Impaired sensory function

 -  Any prior suicide attempt

 -  Revisional bariatric surgery

 -  Current or former tobacco user / smoker

 -  Currently pregnant