Understanding how bariatric surgery affects brain signals related to weight loss
Official title: Changes in CSF Biomarkers after Bariatric Surgery
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-10903831 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how weight loss surgery helps people with obesity by checking certain markers in the fluid around the brain, to see how changes in the gut affect how our bodies manage energy, and it's for anyone interested in understanding the benefits of surgeries like gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy compared to just dieting.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2020 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $465,943 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK124465-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10903831 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals considering or who have undergone bariatric surgery, specifically Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or vertical sleeve gastrectomy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not considering bariatric surgery or those who have not experienced significant weight loss may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms behind the effectiveness of bariatric surgery in treating obesity and its metabolic complications. By analyzing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers, the study aims to identify how surgical alterations in the gut influence brain pathways that regulate energy balance. It compares patients who have undergone Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and vertical sleeve gastrectomy with those who have achieved weight loss through diet alone. The research utilizes advanced proteomic analysis to discover new biomarkers associated with surgical weight loss.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment options for obesity and related metabolic disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding metabolic changes following bariatric surgery, but this specific approach using CSF biomarkers is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wardlaw, Sharon L. — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Wardlaw, Sharon L.
Related research
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BREW ME Model: How bariatric surgery changes alcohol use biology
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.