NEUROFIT: NEUROlogical Impact of Weight Reduction and FITness Interventions

Weight loss surgery not only impacts weight, but also influences various aspects of physiology, metabolism, body composition, and longer-term risk for multiple chronic conditions. However, the specific effects of weight loss surgery on brain structure and function are not yet fully understood.

While some evidence suggests that weight loss may positively affect brain function, such as memory and attention, further research is needed to confirm these findings.

Additionally, weight loss surgery can lead to muscle loss, but regular exercise can help prevent this and aid in weight maintenance. Therefore, a secondary aim of this study is to assess whether a tailored exercise program after surgery can provide additional health benefits, such as improved body composition and glucose metabolism, compared to standard care for bariatric surgery patients.

Key Points:

• This is a year-long clinical trial.
• Participants will be randomised to either usual care or a supervised exercise program after weight loss surgery.
• They will have a brain MRI and cognitive tests before and one year after surgery to measure changes in brain health and function.
• They will also undergo additional tests to measure changes in their cardiometabolic health and body composition.
• They will receive a Fitbit, which they can keep at the conclusion of the trial.
• The exercise arm will receive support from an accredited exercise physiologist to develop and implement a tailored exercise programme and the usual care arm will be offered this option at the conclusion of the trial.
• Visits are to be done at the Charles Perkins Centre, there is free parking as well as reimbursement for travel. 

You may be eligible to participate in this study if you:

• Aged 18 - 80 years.
• Undergoing weight loss/bariatric surgery in the near future, the type of surgery does not matter.
  

Interested participants will undergo a phone screening to assess additional eligibility factors.

If you are interested in assisting with this important and exciting area of research, please email neurofit.study@sydney.edu.au or call 02 8627 7413. 

Ethics committee approval number: X24-0053