title: Older age does not limit postbariatric surgery cognitive benefits: a preliminary investigation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bariatric surgery is associated with cognitive benefits, but the nature of such gains may be variable across demographically and clinically diverse persons. Older adults achieve less weight loss and resolution of fewer medical co-morbidities after surgery compared to younger patients and are also at heightened risk for nutritional deficiencies. However, no study has examined the influence of age on cognitive improvements after bariatric surgery. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of age on cognitive function postbariatric surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 95 participants enrolled in the Longitudinal Assessment for Bariatric Surgery completed a computerized cognitive test battery before bariatric surgery and at 12-weeks and 12-months postoperatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Baseline cognitive impairments were common. Significant improvements were found in attention/executive function and memory abilities 12-weeks and 12-months after surgery. Age was not associated with baseline cognitive test performance. Separate multivariable regression analyses controlling for baseline attention/executive function and memory also showed that age was not a significant predictor of 12-week or 12-month performances in these domains (P>.05 for all).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study provides preliminary evidence suggesting that older age does not preclude postbariatric surgery cognitive benefits. Prospective studies in more age diverse samples (i.e., up to 70 yr) are needed to determine whether bariatric surgery can reduce risk of age-related neurologic conditions like Alzheimer's disease and stroke.
authors.affiliation: Kent State University, Kent, Ohio.
authors.forename: Michael L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Alosco
authors.affiliation: University of Florida Institute on Aging, Gainesville, Florida.
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.affiliation: Kent State University, Kent, Ohio.
authors.forename: Mary Beth
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Spitznagel
authors.affiliation: Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Gladys
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Strain
authors.affiliation: Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Devlin
authors.affiliation: University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences and Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, Fargo, North Dakota.
authors.forename: Ross D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Crosby
authors.affiliation: University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences and Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, Fargo, North Dakota.
authors.forename: James E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.affiliation: Kent State University, Kent, Ohio. Electronic address: jgunstad@kent.edu.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gunstad
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D050110:Bariatric Surgery / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D018579:Patient Selection; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss
keywords: Age; Bariatric surgery; Cognitive function; Obesity; Older adults