Cognitive function 10 years after adolescent bariatric surgery.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Adolescent bariatric surgery produces substantial weight loss and reduction of medical co-morbidities. Research in adult samples shows improved cognitive function postoperatively, although much less is known about the potential cognitive benefits of bariatric surgery in adolescents-especially at extended follow-up. OBJECTIVE: Examine cognitive function 10 years after adolescent bariatric surgery. SETTING: University hospital. METHODS: A total of 99 young adults who underwent bariatric surgery as adolescents completed a computerized cognitive test battery as part of a larger 10-year postoperative assessment. All had been long-term participants in the Teen-Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery (Teen-LABS) study. RESULTS: Cognitive dysfunction was prevalent on tests of attention and executive function (e.g., Continuous Performance Test - Reaction Time 30%; Maze Errors - Overrun 30%), and 53.5% met research criteria for mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Modified Poisson regression with robust error variance revealed participants with preoperative hypertension and those completing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass were more likely to meet criteria for MCI at 10-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The current findings indicate that cognitive deficits are common 10 years after bariatric surgery. Additional studies are needed to clarify possible cohort effects, determine whether these cognitive deficits persist to even later follow-up (e.g., 20 yr after surgery), and identify underlying mechanisms and mitigation strategies.