In several short-term studies, weight loss following bariatric surgery (BS) is reported to improve brain structure and function. 1 A new study has examined long-term neurological outcomes of BS-induced weight loss in 133 patients with severe obesity (age: 35 to 55 years). 2 At 24 months after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, global cognition was 20% higher in 42.9% of participants. Compared to baseline measurements, decreased inflammatory markers (high-sensitive CRP: 4.77 μg/mL vs. 0.80 μg/mL), depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory score; 9.0 vs. 3.0), and use of antihypertensives (36.1% vs.
16.7% of patients) were observed at 24 months. Additionally, improved physical activity (Baecke score: 7.64 vs. 8.19) and greater temporal cortex thickness (2.761 mm vs. 2.724 mm) were observed in the participants. These findings suggest that BS provides long-term positive neurological…
