Investigating Metabolic, Brain, and Cognitive Alterations Through Bariatric Surgery

NCT07704229 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2027-4579
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 150
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Despite global efforts, the prevalence of obesity continues to rise, with rates in Canada tripling over the past three decades. In addition to the well-established risk of cardiometabolic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes, obesity has been associated with cognitive decline and an increased risk of dementia later in life. Sleeve gastrectomy, the most widely used surgical treatment for severe obesity, has proven effective in promoting significant weight loss and improving overall health. Emerging research, including our recent brain imaging study, suggests that this surgery may also have a positive impact on brain health. Our findings demonstrated significant improvements, with patients experiencing reductions in brain age by 2.9 and 5.6 years 12 and 24 months post-surgery, respectively. Despite these promising results, the long-term effects of sleeve gastrectomy on brain health and cognitive function remains poorly understood. While some patients experience cognitive improvements following surgery, others do not, and the factors driving this variability remain unknown. This proposal aims to comprehensively investigate the impact of bariatric surgery on brain health by examining its cognitive consequences, determinants, and drivers. Understanding the key factors that contribute to brain health improvements after bariatric surgery is essential for optimizing its benefits, preventing relapse and developing personalized interventions to maintain or enhance brain health in individuals living with obesity.

Conditions

Obesity, Morbid

Keywords

bariatric surgery; Brain; Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Estimated Brain Age

  Difference between MRI-predicted brain age and chronological age based (delta age, years) derived from a validated machine learning model based on MRI modalities.

  Baseline to 36 months

Secondary Outcomes (36)

• Change in Executive Function Composite Score

  Baseline to 36 months

• Change in Processing Speed Composite Score

  Baseline to 36 months

• Change in Memory Composite Score

  Baseline to 36 months

• Change in Global Cognition

  Baseline to 36 months

• Change in White Matter Fractional Anisotropy (FA)

  Baseline to 36 months

Interventions

Sleeve Gastrectomy PROCEDURE

Vertical sleeve gastrectomy

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Participants with severe obesity scheduled to undergo SG at the Institut universitaire de cardiologie et pneumologie de Québec - Université Laval (IUCPQ-ULaval).

You may qualify if:

• Women or men between 18 and 65 years who meet the Guidelines for bariatric surgery (BM I≥ 30 kg/m2 with major comorbidities or BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2

You may not qualify if:

• Pregnancy
• Liver cirrhosis
• Unstable medical, surgical or psychiatric conditions
• Substance or alcohol abuse
• Medications affecting the central nervous system
• Previous gastric, oesophageal, brain, or bariatric surgeries
• Gastrointestinal inflammatory diseases or ulcers
• MRI contraindications

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Laval University: lead
• Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR): collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec - Université Laval

Québec, Quebec, G1V 4G5, Canada

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Obesity, Morbid

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Study Officials

• Andréanne Michaud, DtP, PhD

  Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec, University Laval

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Mélissa Pelletier, MSc

CONTACT

418-656-8711; melissa.pelletier@criucpq.ulaval.ca

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 9, 2026
• First Posted: July 15, 2026
• Study Start (Estimated): September 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2030
• Study Completion (Estimated): March 31, 2031
• Last Updated: July 16, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CA (1)