PD Dr. Veronica Witte | Effects of bariatric surgery on obesity-associated changes in brain structure and function

Besides metabolic dysfunctions, obesity has been consistently associated with reduced gray matter volume, less intact white matter structure and reduced cognitive function (Thomas/Beyer et al., 2019; Beyer et al., 2019; Zhang et al., 2018). In parallel, dietary interventions such as caloric restriction and related metabolic improvements and weight loss have been suggested to improve neuronal plasticity and cognitive performance (Alosco et al., 2014; Witte et al., 2009). Bariatric surgery is one option to treat morbid obesity, as it rapidly improves weight status, metabolic dysfunctions and co-morbidities, such as diabetes. Yet, little is known about the potential beneficial effects of bariatric surgery on brain structure and function in this population, in particular with regard to brain areas involved in homeostatic functions. Here, we aim to investigate whether bariatric surgery could reverse the proposed obesity-associated effects on hypothalamus and white matter microstructure in a comprehensive sample of obese patients and waiting list controls. The proposed analyses comprise data acquisition of patients enrolled in the „MetaSurg“ randomized controlled trial conducted at the University Hospital Leipzig.