PET-study on the Role of the Reward System in Weight Loss After Bariatric Surgery
Bariatric surgery (BS) is currently the most effective treatment in severe obesity. However, a considerable percentage of patients undergoing BS fail to lose sufficient weight or regain weight after initial weight loss during long-term follow-up, which may be attributed to personality traits and pathological eating behaviour. Previous positron emission tomography (PET) studies have shown reduced dopamine D2 receptor availability in obese patients and upregulation of this availability following successful BS in the brain's reward system. Dopamine D2 receptor availability in patients with unsuccessful BS has not been investigated to date.
• Bariatric surgery 24-36 months prior to the study
• Adult (over 18y old)
• Mentally capable to understand the consequences of the procedure and make his or her own choice without coercion
• Able to undergo PET and MRI, according to the investigator's assessment
• Native speaking
• Able to participate in follow-up
• Written informed consent