Key result
Bariatric surgery and concomitant weight loss resulted in a global increase in white matter density and local increases in grey matter density six months postoperatively.
Why the study?
Does bariatric surgery improve grey and white matter density in morbidly obese subjects?
Observational (n=76)
No
Does bariatric surgery improve grey and white matter density in morbidly obese subjects?
p-value: p=<0.05
Bariatric surgery-induced weight loss leads to global recovery of white matter and local recovery of grey matter densities, reflecting improved brain tissue integrity.
Bariatric surgery-associated weight loss may improve brain matter density in obesity; hypothesis-generating and requires RCTs before practice change.
Obesity is associated with lowered brain's grey (GM) and white matter (WM) density as measured by voxel-based morphometry (VBM). Nevertheless, it remains unknown whether obesity has a causal influence on cerebral atrophy. We recruited 47 morbidly obese subjects (mean BMI = 42.2, SD = 4.0, 42 females and five males) eligible for bariatric surgery and 29 non-obese subjects (mean BMI = 23.2, SD = 2.8, 23 females and six males) served as controls. Baseline scans were acquired with T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 1.5 Tesla; obese participants were scanned again six months after the surgery. Local GM and WM densities were quantified using VBM. Full-volume analyses were used for comparing baseline between-group differences as well as the effects of surgery-induced weight loss in the morbidly obese. Metabolic variables were used in linear models to predict WM and GM densities. Obese subjects had initially lower GM densities in widespread cortical areas including frontal, parietal, and temporal regions as well as insulae. Lower WM densities were observed throughout the WM. Bariatric surgery and concomitant weight loss resulted in global increase in WM density. Grey matter increase was limited to occipital and inferior temporal regions. Metabolic variables were associated with brain densities. We conclude that weight loss results in global recovery of WM as well as local recovery of grey matter densities. These changes likely reflect improved brain tissue integrity. Hum Brain Mapp 37:3745-3756, 2016.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Tuulari et al. (2016) conducted an observational in Morbid obesity (n=76). Bariatric surgery vs. Baseline (preoperative state) and non-obese controls was evaluated on Changes in grey and white matter density measured by voxel-based morphometry (p=<0.05). Bariatric surgery and concomitant weight loss resulted in a global increase in white matter density and local increases in grey matter density six months postoperatively.
Synapse has enriched one closely related paper. Consider it for comparative context: