Evaluation of Cognitive Improvement After Bariatric Surgery Using a Virtual Reality Program and the Neuropsi Neuropsychological Battery

NCT07229924 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: DI/24/501/04/37
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 42
• Locations: 2 countries
• Sites: 2

Brief Summary

Background: Obesity is a chronic, systemic, and multifactorial disease affecting populations worldwide, with projections indicating a 50% increase by 2035. It is linked to higher risks of cognitive decline, brain atrophy, and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. Bariatric surgery has shown benefits in reducing fat and systemic inflammation, which may improve cognitive function. However, the factors predicting such improvements remain unclear. Objective: To evaluate the effect of bariatric surgery on cognitive performance using virtual reality (Neurotracker) and the Neuropsi neuropsychological battery. Methods: This prospective quasi-experimental study will include patients with morbid obesity who are candidates for bariatric surgery. Cognitive performance will be evaluated using the Neurotracker virtual reality tool and the Neuropsi neuropsychological battery. Participants will complete Neurotracker sessions three times weekly for two weeks before surgery, and again at 3- and 6-months post-surgery. The Neuropsi assessment will be conducted once prior to surgery and repeated at 6 months afterward. Statistical analyses will compare cognitive performance before and after the surgical intervention. Expected Outcomes: The study aims to identify measurable improvements in cognitive function after weight loss from bariatric surgery, evaluated through both traditional neuropsychological tests and immersive virtual reality tools. These results could improve understanding of the cognitive benefits of surgical obesity treatment and the factors that predict these outcomes.

Conditions

Obesity (Disorder); Obesity and Obesity-related Medical Conditions

Keywords

Bariatric Surgery; Cognition; NeuroTracker; Neuropsi; Obesity

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• NEUROPSI

  NEUROPSI is a standardized neuropsychological assessment battery designed to evaluate cognitive functions. It provides quantitative measures adjusted for age and education grade.

  NEUROPSI will be applied to group intervention before bariatric surgery and 6 months after it. For the control group, NEUROPSI will be applied at the time of enrollment and 6 months later.

• NeuroTracker

  has a virtual cloud-based web portal, that has been validated by functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Participants will perform a total of 12 sessions. Each session will consist of 3 blocks of 20 trials.

  The time of evaluation will be: 12 sessions pre-surgery, 12 sessions, 3 months post-surgery (post-op) 12 sessions, 6 months post-op With a total of 3 visits per evaluation (9 visits), each patient will complete 80 trials per visit.

Study Arms (2)

Control group

NO INTERVENTION

Evaluation of perceptual-cognitive functions (NeuroTracker) in individuals without obesity.

Intervention/Treatment

EXPERIMENTAL

Evaluation of perceptual-cognitive functions (NeuroTracker) in patients with morbid obesity or obesity and related conditions, who were treated with bariatric surgery.

Procedure: Bariatric Surgery

Interventions

Bariatric Surgery PROCEDURE

Surgical procedures designed to induce sustained weight loss in patients with morbid obesity by modifying the gastrointestinal anatomy to restrict caloric intake, reduce nutrient absortion, or alter gut hormonal responses involved in appetite and metabolism regulation.

Intervention/Treatment

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• A. Age (18-65 years) B. Diagnostic of morbid obesity with a body mass index (BMI) \> 40 kg/m2, or, C. Obesity grade II (BMI \> 35 kg/m2) and associated comorbidities (Diabetes Mellitus type 2, Hypertension, Ischemic Cardiopathy, Hyperlipidemia, Hepatic Steatosis, Metabolic Syndrome, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Pickwick Syndrome) D. Bariatric surgery criteria.

You may not qualify if:

• A. Age \< 18 years, \> 65 years B. Visual impairment C. Personal history of CVE D. Drug addiction.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hospital General de México Dr. Eduardo Liceaga: lead
• Université de Montréal: collaborator
• NeuroTracker Athletics Inc.: collaborator

Study Sites (2)

Faubert Lab

Montreal, Quebec, H3T 1P1, Canada

WITHDRAWN

Hospital General de México "Dr. Eduardo Licega"

Mexico City, Mexico City, 06720, Mexico

RECRUITING

Related Publications (6)

• Legault I, Allard R, Faubert J. Healthy older observers show equivalent perceptual-cognitive training benefits to young adults for multiple object tracking. Front Psychol. 2013 Jun 6;4:323. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00323. eCollection 2013.

  PMID: 23761025 BACKGROUND

• Oria HE, Moorehead MK. Bariatric analysis and reporting outcome system (BAROS). Obes Surg. 1998 Oct;8(5):487-99. doi: 10.1381/096089298765554043.

  PMID: 9819079 BACKGROUND

• Hachula M, Kosowski M, Zielanska K, Basiak M, Okopien B. The Impact of Various Methods of Obesity Treatment on the Quality of Life and Mental Health-A Narrative Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Jan 24;20(3):2122. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20032122.

  PMID: 36767489 BACKGROUND

• Ostrosky-Solis F, Esther Gomez-Perez M, Matute E, Rosselli M, Ardila A, Pineda D. NEUROPSI ATTENTION AND MEMORY: a neuropsychological test battery in Spanish with norms by age and educational level. Appl Neuropsychol. 2007;14(3):156-70. doi: 10.1080/09084280701508655.

  PMID: 17848126 BACKGROUND

• Frigolet ME, Dong-Hoon K, Canizales-Quinteros S, Gutierrez-Aguilar R. Obesity, adipose tissue, and bariatric surgery. Bol Med Hosp Infant Mex. 2020;77(1):3-14. doi: 10.24875/BMHIM.19000115.

  PMID: 32115585 BACKGROUND

• Campos-Nonato I, Galvan-Valencia O, Hernandez-Barrera L, Oviedo-Solis C, Barquera S. Prevalencia de obesidad y factores de riesgo asociados en adultos mexicanos: resultados de la Ensanut 2022. Salud Publica Mex. 2023 Jun 14;65:s238-s247. doi: 10.21149/14809. Spanish.

  PMID: 38060949 BACKGROUND

Related Links

• Link to the official NeuroTracker website.

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Obesity

Interventions

Bariatric Surgery

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Overweight; Overnutrition; Nutrition Disorders; Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases; Body Weight; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Bariatrics; Obesity Management; Therapeutics; Surgical Procedures, Operative

Study Officials

• Argelia Pérez Pacheco, PhD

  Hospital General de México Dr. Eduardo Liceaga

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Argelia Pérez Pacheco, PhD

CONTACT

+525527892000; argeliapp@ciencias.unam.mx

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER GOV
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Researcher

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 13, 2025
• First Posted: November 17, 2025
• Study Start: June 25, 2024
• Primary Completion: June 25, 2025
• Study Completion: March 1, 2026
• Last Updated: November 17, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-11

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CA (1); ME (1)